Holly Cairns
Question:935. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that AIM funding is provided in a timely manner. [13052/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (935)
Written answers
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a suite of universal and targeted supports designed to ensure that children with a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The key objective of AIM is to support early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that children with a disability can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme, thereby reaping the benefits of quality pre-school education.
Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth administers AIM. Applications for AIM Level 7 supports open in May each year, for the upcoming programme call. Service providers in conjunction with parents/carers are advised to apply for supports at least three months prior to a child’s ECCE start date. This is to allow for the processing and approval of applications.
Key to AIM is assessment of a child's needs. In many instances this will require an onsite visit and observation by a Better Start Early Years Specialist. Obviously this can only occur after the start of the programme year and as such approval cannot be immediate.
Pobal in consultation with the Department are currently taking a number of steps to minimise time to approval in the future including a review of the approach to renewals for children entering into a second year of ECCE.
Whilst the level 7 process is currently by and large in line with Pobal targets, Pobal and the Department will continue to review processes and seek opportunities to create efficiencies.