Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
530. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional funding will be provided for the childcare sector in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42323/23]
View answerThis Government, for the first time, allocated more than €1 billion to early learning and childcare in 2023 – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Over the past eight budgets, investment in early learning and childcare has risen from €260 million in 2015 to €1.025 billion in 2023, reaching the First 5 investment target 5 years ahead of time. This unprecedented investment speaks to the commitment of Government in prioritising early learning and childcare services.
The table below outlines the beneficiary funding allocations for the sector for 2022 and 2023.
|
Funding Scheme |
2022 (€,000) |
2023 (€,000) |
|
ECCE |
285,067 |
264,600 |
|
NCS and Savers |
210,775 |
357,626 |
|
AIM |
32,800 |
43,600 |
|
Core Funding |
83,796 |
265,886 |
|
Transition Fund |
22,676 |
0 |
|
Capital |
806 |
9,000 |
|
Total Beneficiary Funding |
635,920 |
940,712 |
Officials in my Department are currently engaging in the Estimates process for Budget 2024, which will, inter alia , determine the funding allocation for 2024.
I am committed to increasing State funding for early learning and childcare as part of a multi-annual budget process and to continuing to work with providers delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
