Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
461. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many children in CHO9 are currently enrolled in the AIMS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46109/23]
View answerCHO9 is a HSE designation and not used with regard to early learning and childcare. I understand on clarification that the PQ relates to North County Dublin area which most closely aligns with Fingal County Childcare Committee and this response relates to the area encompassed by that committee.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) encompasses 7 levels of support, which include universal supports (levels 1-3) and targeted supports (levels 4-7), based on the needs of the child and the Early Learning and Care (ELC) setting. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in ELC settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are not enough to meet the needs of an individual child, targeted supports are available to ensure the child can meaningfully participate in ELC.
In 2023 there was an overall increase in demand in AIM supports post Covid-19, with 7,217 children nationwide being approved for targeted AIM supports combined.
The number of children participating in the various targeted streams of support under AIM for the 2022/23 programme call in the Fingal CCC area was as follows.
|
Programme Call |
Total Unique Children Accessing AIM Supports in the Fingal CCC Area |
|
2022/23 |
481 |
|
2023/24 (as of 19/10/2023) |
455 |
