Written answers

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will arrange for the application of a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) for the second ECCE preschool year to be processed without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29093/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Deputy has asked specifically about the provision of a Special Needs Assistant. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not fund these services.

However, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which is a new programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the free pre-school programme, was introduced in June 2016 and is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. The degree of support provided depends on the needs of the child availing of ECCE, in the context of the pre-school service registered with my Department.

My Department has made enquiries of Pobal in relation to this query and it is understood that an application was received for support under Level 7 of AIM. This has been processed in accordance with the agreed protocols ensuring due process, fairness and equity, and the decision has been communicated to the applicants.

I understand that the Early Years Specialist involved in this application has also suggested to the parents and the service provider that this child would benefit from exploring other supports through Level 4 and Level 6 of AIM. They were also encouraged to seek feedback and it is understood that a request for this has been received by Pobal's AIM Team.

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will arrange for the application of a person (details supplied) for a special needs assistant for the second ECCE preschool year to be processed without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29094/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has asked specifically about the provision of a Special Needs Assistant. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not fund these services.

However, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which is a new programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the free pre-school programme, was introduced in June 2016 and is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. The degree of support provided depends on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school service.

My Department has made enquiries of Pobal in relation to this query and it is understood that an application was received for support under AIM. This is being processed in accordance with agreed protocols ensuring due process, fairness and equity.

The Parent(s) and Pre-school Provider will be notified of the decision as early as possible and certainly within the next three weeks.

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