Ms Bernie McNally:

When AIM was established we created 900 leadership for inclusion in early years, LINC, places, per year for four years and the scheme can thereafter be extended if required. That would broadly cover most early years settings. We were overwhelmed by the huge response in the first year of LINC. Deputy Funchion referred to a lottery. We tried to ensure there was a geographical distribution and so on and to take an equitable and objective approach to it but some people were disappointed. We have now opened the second year to huge interest once more but it is probable that fewer people have been disappointed. Some 857 graduated last year and approximately 850 have started the second year. There will be at least another two years of LINC. I hope that every service committed to inclusion will be able to access the course, which won an award for best online training and has been a great partnership-----