I propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 618 together.
AIM supports children with disabilities to reap the full benefits of free pre-school education. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience. AIM is a child-centred and evidence-based model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting.
AIM was launched in June 2016. Funding is allocated to AIM on an annual basis. Funding allocated in 2016 and 2017 to levels 4, 5 and 7 of AIM by my Department is set out below. Funding for AIM Level 6 comes from the Department of Health Vote.
Level
|
Element of model
|
2016
|
2017
|
-
|
-
|
(m*)
|
(m*)
|
-
|
-
|
Allocation
|
Allocation
|
4
|
Expert Early Years Educational Advice and Support
|
5.4
|
10.1
|
5
|
Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Grants and application process
|
1.61
|
2.5
|
6
|
Therapeutic Intervention
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room and Application Process
|
5.43
|
14.1
|
*Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.