Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
852. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to extend AIMS support to after-school services, as currently children with additional needs receiving support in preschool and primary school are without needed support in after-school care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model or AIM is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education or ECCE programme. The goal of AIM is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care in any mainstream service participating in ECCE.
A core feature and strength of AIM is that it does not require a diagnosis. Instead, resources are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.
In line with a commitment in First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028, an independent evaluation of AIM was undertaken in order to inform an extension of AIM beyond the ECCE programme as well as any potential enhancements to the model.
The findings from the evaluation were published in January 2024 and have informed the phased extension of AIM. Since September 2024, AIM has been expanded beyond time spent in the ECCE programme for ECCE-aged children. This allows children to access early learning and childcare for up to an additional 3 hours per day in term and 6 hours per day out of term.
It is intended that, over time, all children with additional needs registered in Early Learning and Care services will have access to supports under AIM.
Officials in the Department will be engaging in a comprehensive policy development process during 2026 to extend AIM to children aged under three in future years, which will be underpinned by consultations with key stakeholders. It is critical that the new model will be strongly evidence-based and reflective of the developmental stages of children not yet in ECCE.
It is also intended to give consideration at a later date to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare (SAC).
It is critical that both of these policy responses are strongly evidence-based and reflective of the needs of children. This requires tailoring of AIM and differentiation of approaches for each age cohort. Funding will be required through the annual budget process.
