Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

That is a really worthwhile idea to explore. Based on the evaluation, and the Senator read out some of the statistics that came from that evaluation, AIM is now being extended on a phased basis as funding becomes available. As a first step in this extension, since the beginning of September last year, all AIM-targeted supports have been available to ECCE children beyond the time they spent in the ECCE programme. It is intended that over time all children with additional needs in early learning and childcare services will have access to supports under AIM.

The next phase of expansion focuses on a redesign of AIM for children under three to meet the specific needs of the younger age cohort. I am not sure if that is the age cohort of the family in question that the Senator raised this issue for, but the design of AIM will ensure that it meets the different needs of children in different cohorts. That will depend on the funding secured through the annual budget process, but we are on a good trajectory for funding. I spoke about the increases in funding this year and last.

An action plan has also been developed to respond to other areas of improvement identified through that AIM evaluation. That includes things like increasing awareness and the streamlining of application processes.