Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have made good progress in implementing the access and inclusion model, AIM, which helps children with disabilities to reap the full benefits of free preschool education. Its goal is to empower preschool providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience. As the Deputy is aware, AIM is a child-centred model that involves seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted. It is based on the needs of the child and the preschool setting. Since the introduction of AIM in June 2016, it has enhanced free preschool education for all children, particularly children with a disability. When a preschool provider, in conjunction with a parent, considers that additional support is needed for a child with a disability, an application can be made via Pobal for a suite of targeted supports. These supports involve access to mentoring from a team of dedicated early years specialists at level four; access to specialised equipment, appliances and minor alteration grants at level five; access to therapeutic services at level six; and access to additional capitation to facilitate lower adult to child ratios at level seven.

An application for support at levels four, six or seven is generally responded to by an early years specialist within two to three days. This is followed by an observation visit, which generally takes place within two to four weeks, depending on the availability of the preschool provider and the attendance pattern of the child. An application for support at level six is referred to the HSE within days of the observation visit. An application for support at level seven is generally appraised within two to five weeks. The application process for support at level five, which involves equipment and alterations, is separate. The appraisal process for such applications is usually completed within two weeks and equipment or appliances are delivered within four to 12 weeks, depending on availability and supplier delivery terms for the items required. In the current preschool year, more than 3,000 applications have been approved for targeted AIM supports. There has been one appeal on the decisions. This suggests that access to the model is good.

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