I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 235, inclusive, together.
I am committed, in conjunction with the HSE and other stakeholders, to progressing a Pre-School Quality Agenda involving a range of actions aimed at improving the quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. I have outlined to the Dáil on a number of occasions the areas which I believe need to be addressed as a matter of urgency and a number of reforms have already commenced.
Budget discussions in relation to funding priorities for next year are underway and a number of groups have made pre-budget submissions to my Department. While all proposals are welcomed and are given consideration by my officials, it is not the practice to engage in correspondence or discussions in relation to these proposals while the budgetary process is ongoing.