Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if daycare and pre-school service providers who give notices of closure to Tusla and Pobal could still be registered and still receive their AIMS support payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations, 2016, all registered providers are required to notify Tusla in writing of the closure of a service not later than 28 days after the closure takes place. There is no requirement to notify Tusla in advance of a service closure. Where a service does notify Tusla in advance, they will remain on the register until the date of closure.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.
AIM funding is provided up to the child’s ECCE leaver date or the last day on which the support was delivered. AIM Standard funding is contingent on ECCE registrations, while AIM Plus and non-term applications have an additional dependency to confirmed NCS claims. Where an application continues to meet the programme requirements and the ECCE end date aligns with the last date of service, AIM funding should remain in place.
