Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
823. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if it can be ensured that a person (details supplied) receives appropriate AIM staffing or support so the child can safely access preschool education. [4269/26]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs or a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Access to AIM is based on the needs of the individual child, in the context of the pre-school setting, and does not require a diagnosis.
AIM Level 7 support enables providers to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting. In recognition of best practice in this area, this support is designed to improve inclusion and ensure meaningful participation of all children in the room.
While the Department oversees AIM, early learning and childcare providers are private entities and responsible for their own staffing and admissions policies, which are outside the Department’s remit. Parents and carers experiencing challenges in accessing early learning and childcare supports are encouraged to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee, who can provide advice and guidance on available options in their area. In regard to this case, your constituents may wish to contact the Fingal County Childcare Committee at [fingalcountychildcare.ie] who may be able to assist in securing another preschool placement for their child.
Additionally, the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator for the early years sector under Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991. The sector is governed by a number of regulations which set the standards for registration, inspection and enforcement by Tusla. Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (as amended), each service is required to have a complaints policy and deal with complaints as set out under the regulations. Services are also required to have an inclusion policy under the 2016 Regulations. While Tusla do not carry out investigations of complaints, they have a “feedback and concerns” mechanisms by which the public may make complaints about services, which will inform risk-based decision-making by Tusla on the prioritisation of inspections.
