Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
594. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason access to the AIMS scheme is only available from the age of three years when it is known that the most critical time for a child's brain development is 0 to 6 months. [16444/24]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016 to ensure children with a disability could access and meaningfully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
In line with a commitment in First 5, an independent evaluation of AIM was undertaken by the University of Derby to inform an extension of AIM beyond the ECCE programme as well as any enhancements to AIM.
The evaluation involved almost 2,000 stakeholders – parents, educators, providers and representative groups. The findings from the evaluation, published in 2024, were overwhelmingly positive and stakeholder support to extend AIM beyond the ECCE programme was unanimous.
• 82% of parents reported that AIM has benefited their child;
• 69% of parents reported that AIM has supported their child’s interaction with their peer and their child’s meaningful participation in preschool;
• 94% of providers reported that AIM was having a positive impact on children with a disability; and
• 96% of providers reported that AIM was having a positive impact on inclusion in their preschool setting.
The findings from the evaluation is informing the phased extension of AIM as committed to in First 5, commencing from September 2024, specifically the extension of targeted AIM supports to ECCE-age children beyond time they spend in the ECCE programme – both in term and out.
It is my ambition that, over time, all children with additional needs registered in early learning and childcare services will benefit from supports under AIM. To this end, my officials will be giving consideration to how younger children not yet eligible for the ECCE programme, can be supported through AIM, in addition to school going children in school-age childcare services.
