Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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892. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare providers in County Louth that have applied for, or are currently receiving, Sustainability Funding; the primary reasons cited for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62865/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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From 2022 to 2025, the Department has not received any sustainability funding requests from Louth based childcare services. As a result, no service provider based in Louth has received sustainability funding during this timeframe. While no service has been provided with sustainability funding, Louth County Childcare Committee (CCC) and Pobal work together to offer non-financial support to childcare services daily. This support can take the form of assisting services with analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, general operational supports for partner services, as well as more specialised advice and assistance appropriate to individual circumstances. It is worth noting that most assistance provided to childcare services are provided by the CCCs without referral from the Department.

Since 2017, the Department has offered Sustainability Funding to community Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)/ School Aged Childcare (SAC) services in crisis. In 2018, a Sustainability Funding policy was formalised, and a framework was created which coupled this Sustainability Funding with on-the-ground case management assistance. The purpose of the supports within this framework were to provide emergency funding to community services where a need for funding was identified while also ensuring that the case management performed at a service level identified and resolved underlying issues that may have caused the initial crisis.

As part of the Case Management process, City or County Childcare Committees (CCC) assist services with issues and difficulties that arise. The CCC may refer Core Funding-partner services facing difficulties to Pobal and the Department to be considered for Sustainability Funding. Sustainability Funding is intended to prevent significant issues that threaten the viability of a service.

The Department encourages all services experiencing difficulties to contact their local CCC with a request for assistance, their CCC can advise on a range of issues and can provide assistance in accessing case management supports. Contact details for the CCCs can be found online on gov.ie by searching City and County Childcare Committees.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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893. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently receiving support under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in County Louth; if she will provide a breakdown of supports by level, including the number receiving level 7 one-to-one assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62866/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and Early Learning and Care (ELC). The goal of AIM is to empower 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 high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.

AIM level 4 is delivered by Better Start Early Years Specialist Service (EYSS). They work collaboratively with parents, pre-school providers, and with other professionals to develop inclusive learning environments in pre-schools.

AIM Level 5 provides funding for specialised equipment, appliances or small capital grants towards minor building alterations. A short report from a designated professional is required confirming that the specialised equipment or minor building alterations are necessary to enable the participation of a child in pre-school.

AIM Level 7 support provides additional funding to ELC providers who have a child requiring extra support in an ECCE service. AIM Level 7 funding acts to either reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the setting. In September of 2024, Level 7 funding was expanded to include for an additional 3 hours during term time, or an additional 6 hours during non-term time for ECCE eligible children

A more detailed breakdown of AIM can be found at www.aim.gov.ie

Please see below the table of children approved for Level 4,5 & 7 for Programme years 24/25 & 25/26 to the 12th November 2025 in Co. Louth

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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894. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average processing time for AIM level 7 applications in County Louth; if measures are being taken to reduce processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62867/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and Early Learning and Care (ELC). The goal of AIM is to empower 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 high-quality early learning and care through universal and targeted supports.

The timeline for processing applications is currently under review between officials in my Department and Pobal. Pobal who administer the AIM scheme on behalf of my Department, engage directly with service providers regarding applications, providing advice and assistance as needed. A key objective of the ongoing review is to learn from provider experiences to improve the application process.

The below table shows the average processing time in days for level 7 applications for Co. Louth over the last 5 programme years, please note that the 2025/26 programme year includes up until 12 November 2025.