Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1456. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has received written correspondence dated 14 July 2023 from a school (details supplied) with a business case for additional funding; if they have examined the business case; and if his Department will increase funding for this school in light of the business case. [38842/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has received written correspondence dated 14th July, 2023 from St. Ultan's together with a Business Case as referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department are aware of the request for additional funding as outlined in the Business Case. Last July, officials in my Department held discussions with St. Ultan's Senior Management and the Chairperson of the St. Ultan's Board regarding this funding request.
My Department funds the work of St. Ultan's via an annual Service Level Agreement and in 2023 nearly €1m in funding has been allocated by my Department to St. Ultan's covering Early Years Provision (NCS, ECCE, AIM), the St. Ultan's Integrated Care and Education Model and the Home Parent Child Plus Programme.
My Department has always engaged with St. Ultan's in a proactive manner as regards funding and sustainability issues and in 2023 additional sustainability funding was allocated to St. Ultan's to further fund the Integrated Care and Education Model on the Campus.
