Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1215. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding that is available for the provision of access-and-inclusion model supports for childcare facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of support, based on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting. As such, in order for a pre-school to access AIM supports, they must have a child that is registered on the ECCE programme in an ECCE-registered preschool service or be eligible to avail of the ECCE programme and has been approved for AIM supports.
Under AIM targeted supports Level 5, grants are available to pre-school providers towards the cost of minor building alterations or the installation of specialist equipment or appliances which may be required depending on an individual child’s needs. The maximum award for a capital grant is €7,000, inclusive of all professional fees. In order to receive Level 5 targeted supports, it must be found to be critical to a specific child’s participation in the ECCE programme.
A service provider, in partnership with a parent, may submit an application for a capital grant towards the cost of minor building alterations. An application should be accompanied by two short reports by designated professionals, as defined in section 7.2.2 of AIM Policy, available at aim.gov.ie which indicate the nature of the proposed minor alteration works.
There are additional supports outside of AIM. My Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during 2023-2025. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: Modernisation, New Capacity and First 5 Initiatives. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during the lifetime of the NDP.
Up to €10m in capital grants will be available in 2023 under the first pillar, the Building Blocks - Modernisation Grant. The scheme will be split between two strands, Green Energy and Retrofit. Under the latter, grants will be provided to cover the costs associated with retrofit and accessibility of an existing building. Further information on the Building Blocks - Modernisation Grant and the application process will be communicated to the sector in the coming weeks.
