367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that ECCE providers are struggling to meet costs; and if she will look at an increase given the importance and success of ECCE and the need to maintain that. [52506/26]

The Department funds private early learning and care service providers to provide the ECCE programme at a standard rate of €69 per week per child attending the ECCE programme. Through ECCE and Core Funding combined, services currently receive a minimum of €80.40 per child per week, before the application of graduate premiums, targeted measures, and the ring-fenced funding for improving staff pay and conditions.

Core Funding is a supply-side grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs. It is designed to promote affordability for parents and sustainability for providers through increased funding to the sector, paid on a consistent and equitable basis.

While the State cannot mandate providers to participate in the scheme, Core Funding has been designed with maximum participation of providers in mind as reflected in the year-on-year growth of investment in the Scheme (rising from €259 million in year 1 to over €390 million in year 4). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.

Further investment was announced for Core Funding in Budget 2026. The additional funding being made available in 2026 will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year which begins in September 2026 increase to over €480 million. That is an additional €90 million on the current full year allocation, or a 23% increase.

Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. This case management process through the CCCs is the route to access additional sustainability funding if required.