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Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Questions (973)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

973. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a review will be carried out on a decision in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54305/18]

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Written answers

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It was introduced in June 2016 and is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. AIM supports children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-school where they can learn and socialise with their peers. AIM is a child-centred model, involving 7 levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting they are attending.

An application was made on behalf of the child in question for AIM Level 5 support. AIM Level 5 provides for access to specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations capital grants for early learning and care settings where such equipment is critical to ensuring that a child with a disability can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme.

Equipment that is also for use outside the pre-school setting and that can be transported from home to the pre-school is not eligible for funding through AIM. Items such as the weighted blanket and weighted lap pad, requested on behalf of this child, fall into this category. Requests for such items should be made through the HSE by the child's therapist, for use by the child both in the home and outside the home.

Pobal has advised me that, while the decision to refuse the equipment in this case was correctly made, there were errors in the wording used in emails issued by them to the child’s parents, pre-school service and HSE therapist on 9/11/18 and 20/11/18. These emails incorrectly stated that the equipment was being refused because it was standard play equipment. They should instead have stated that the equipment was being refused because it can be transported from home. Pobal has apologised for these errors and has clarified the position with the relevant parties. There is no basis for a review of this decision as this type of equipment is not eligible for funding through AIM.

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