Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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139. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the provisions being put in place for a child (details supplied) and other children with special needs who have lost access to after-school care due to the closure of a nearby facility and who are now being refused access to the privately-run after-school service at another location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38043/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry to hear of the difficulties being experienced by the parents of the child named. Early Learning and Care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations and are free to operate their own admissions policies. My Department has no role in this regard.

My Department funds a national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support and advice to parents and childcare providers. The CCC may be able to assist in identifying vacancies in childcare providers in the locality and I would urge the parents to contact their local CCC for assistance, in particular as the child should be eligible for subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme.

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Since its introduction in 2016, AIM has had a major impact on the lives of children with disabilities and the overall quality of early learning and care. Over 35,000 children have received more than 80,000 targeted supports across over 4,800 early learning and care services nationwide.

While AIM is currently only available for ECCE eligible children it is intended that, over time, all children with additional needs registered in Early Learning and Care services will have access to supports under AIM. Officials in my Department are working at present on a redesign of AIM for children under three to ensure that it will meet the different needs of the younger age cohort; and will also at a future date consider options and mechanisms for extending AIM to children in school-age childcare.