Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1144. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the assessment under the AIM programme for a child (details supplied) in County Cork has been completed in order that they can access the support they need in September 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24970/18]
View answerAIM is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted. The level of support provided depends both on the needs of the child and on the strengths and needs of the pre-school setting.
Where a child in receipt of targeted AIM support moves pre-school, a new application must be submitted by the new pre-school in collaboration with the child’s parents, as the level and type of support needed depends on the new pre-school's strengths and needs.
AIM is administered by Pobal on behalf of the DCYA. The application process, which involves submission of an Access and Inclusion Profile, is currently open. Both the Pobal AIM team and the Better Start team are currently reviewing AIM applications and are endeavouring to ensure that applications are reviewed and outcomes communicated to applicants prior to commencement in pre-school.
At present, Pobal has not received a new Access and Inclusion Profile for the child in question. It is recommended that an application is submitted as soon as possible. If the applicants require any support with the submission of an AIM application, they should contact onlinesupport@pobal.ie.
