Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1446. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown per county on the current number of placements available for children with a disability that have access to the AIM programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38611/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In order for a child to Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) supports, they must be within the eligible age range for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. All services providing ECCE can also provide services to children with disabilities. As such there are no disability "placements".

The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.

AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the preschool service. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability.

Applications for AIM for the 2023/24 programme opened in May this year. The AIM application process remains open year round. Applications for AIM targeted supports (Levels 4-7) are completed by the childcare service provider in collaboration with the child’s parent/guardian.

Details of the levels of support under AIM are provided below.

Universal supports (Levels 1-3)

Targeted supports (Levels 4-7)

Whilst there are no dedicated disability placements in mainstream services, it may be informative to provide the number if applications during the 22/23 programme call.