Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Nothing is off the table in regard to broadening AIM. I know how good a programme it is. I have spoken to parents who have experienced the value for their children. I have spoken to services which have seen they have been able to do much more for children. My starting point is to expand access to AIM. I like to do things after the research is completed in order that I can understand what the current situation is. I have acted on the many reports that we have done in childcare so far and I hope to be able to act on the AIM evaluation that will be coming in quarter 3 and to be able to expand it. It will probably be an incremental expansion. There are different approaches such as to focus on the zero-to-three group or on the school-age childcare or to give it to the existing group but outside the ECCE hours. Obviously there are financial considerations in all of that. It is such a good investment.

Like the Deputy, I was in King's Island and saw the amazing work the team does there. We are also working on the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, type model as well as a broader support for socially disadvantaged young people. It is to be hoped that the possible merger or crossover of the two will provide more support for children who need it most.

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