Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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816. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide urgent funding for a case (details supplied) to ensure a child with additional needs can access afterschool and have their needs met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52077/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Correspondence in relation to Archie’s case was also received by the Department and a response has been issued directly to the service provider.

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) provides a suite of supports to enable children with additional needs to participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. As AIM is directly linked to ECCE, it operates in accordance with the staff-to-child ratios that apply within that programme. At present, there is no provision for AIM supports within after-school services.

As noted in the correspondence, an independent evaluation of AIM was published in January 2024, in line with the commitment set out in First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. The evaluation recommended the extension of AIM, and this is now being progressed on a phased basis, subject to the availability of funding. Since September 2024, AIM supports have been extended beyond ECCE hours and may now be accessed for an additional 3 hours per day during the ECCE term, and for an additional 6 hours outside of the ECCE term (in holiday periods), through the National Childcare Scheme.

The next phase of expansion focuses on a redesign of AIM for children under three, to meet the specific needs of this younger age cohort. It is also intended to give consideration at a later date to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare. Both extensions will require a redesign of AIM to ensure that it meets the different needs of children in these two separate cohorts and will be dependent on funding secured through the annual Budget process.