Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding, worth €259 million in Year 1, started in September 2022.
For the Core Funding 2022/23 programme (September 2022-August 2023), 4,446 services were eligible to apply. The most recent data shows:
• 4,206 submitted an application which was not withdrawn (application at stage submitted or later)
• 3 submitted an application and ultimately withdrew (application at withdrawn)*
• 5 submitted an application and were ultimately declined (application at declined)
• 11 submitted an application but did not accept funding agreements in time and did not re-submit (application at system cancelled)
• 18 prepared applications but did not submit (application at new or draft)
• 203 did not prepare or submit any Core Funding application for 2022/23 (no created application exists)
Applications for the Core Funding 2023/24 programme (September 2023-August 2024) opened on 23 June.
Core Funding will increase by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the scheme, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
It is matter for providers to decide whether they wish to benefit from this public funding or withdraw from the Scheme and remove the benefits of the Core Funding to parents, in particular the Core Funding Fee Freeze.
However, I am confident that given the level of investment and associated supports, services should not need to take this step.
There is extensive engagement with provider representatives and providers of all types, via various specific consultation activities and through various fora, including through the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum.
In addition, special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, accessed through local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
I strongly encourage services to avail of these case management supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefits of Core Funding to parents.
*Withdrawn in this sense means submitted, withdrew and did not submit a new application.
