Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the availability of preschool places for children with special needs throughout north Kildare; the extent to which augmentation is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30319/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is now available to enable children with disabilities to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The model will deliver seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. The new model focuses on the developmental level of children with disabilities, their functional ability, their strengths and their needs. The degree of support provided will depend on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school service.
Parents who consider that their child will need additional assistance to participate in the ECCE Programme should contact their pre-school provider as early as possible to discuss their child’s needs. The service provider, in partnership with the parents, will then submit an application to Pobal for supports under AIM. Signed parental consent is required to complete the application process. Further information on AIM can be accessed at www.aim.gov.ie.
It will take some time for the model to be fully embedded and to build capacity across the system. In the meantime, there is a commitment that all supports currently available through the HSE and various agencies will remain in place until the model is fully operational.
I understand that there are approximately 194 childcare providers in Kildare in contract with my Department to deliver the childcare programmes which it administers, and any of these may apply under AIM for supports for pre-school children.
