Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

As I said previously, we all know that the earlier a child can get additional support, the better the outcome. We know that from our present education settings. When we talk about early learning and support, the earlier we can provide supports, the better. That is the specific reason we are looking at going beyond the ECCE model and including children who have not yet reached that point. The beauty of AIM is that it is showing itself to be flexible. We are continually learning through the model. Where there are opportunities to do things better, to enhance things or to meet the individual needs of a child, it is the aim and ambition of the programme to do so. We will continue to keep it under review and see what the scope is going forward. Again, it speaks to this understanding that, the earlier a child has access to additional support, the better it is for the child. I am keen to see this new model take root.

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