Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
494. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is engaging with childcare providers on their inclusion policies to ensure children with additional needs can access childcare outside of the Access and Inclusion Model and the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which was launched in June 2016, is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care.
One of the commitments in First 5, A Government Strategy for Babies and Children, was to undertake an end of Three-Year Evaluation of AIM. That evaluation has been undertaken and the draft report has been reviewed by the Cross Sectoral Implementation Group (CSIG), with the final report due to be published in Q3 of this year.
The evaluation included extensive consultations with parents, providers and other key stakeholders.
Subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, we will be considering potential enhancements to, and/or extensions of AIM including expanding to children outside of ECCE provision.
