Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available to children in receipt of access and inclusion model supports through the Early Childhood Care and Education programme over the summer school break to ensure there is no regression for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30307/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016 to ensure that children with additional needs or a disability could access and meaningfully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower preschool 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 learning and care.

Following a review of AIM and commencing from this September AIM supports to ECCE-age children will be extended beyond time they spend in the ECCE programme – both in term and out.

This means that children with a disability registered on the ECCE programme will now be fully supported from September, to access and participate in early learning and childcare settings for up to 30 hours per week year round, both in term and out of term, including ECCE programme attendance of 15 hours per week during term time.

As this measure commences in September 2024 out-of-term summer supports will be available from summer 2025.

It should also be noted that all hours of early learning and childcare and school aged care accessed outside of the ECCE programme hours - either within term or out of term (i.e. during the summer months) - may be subsidised by the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for a maximum of 45 hours per week.

Where parents/guardians or carers are having any difficulties in relation to early learning and childcare, the local city or county childcare committee may be able to assist in providing advice and support (www.myccc.ie).