Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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224. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a child (details supplied) in south Tipperary will receive Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68296/25]

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 or a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Access to AIM is based on the needs of the individual child, in the context of the pre-school setting, and does not require a diagnosis.

Pobal, who are the administrators of the AIM scheme on behalf of the Department, have informed the Department that an AIM Level 4 application was submitted on the 25th of November 2025 for the child referenced and is currently being processed to completion.

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. The EYSS also provides coaching and mentoring to the pre-school staff on supporting children in the ECCE service. This includes the creation of an Access and Inclusion Plan for children, which can help identify additional support and resources required to meet the needs of the child in the pre-school room.

An AIM Level 7 application was submitted on the 1st of December. Applications under Aim Level 7 can take up to 12 weeks to be processed, but are currently taking on average 17 working days from being received to a decision being made in the programme year 2025/2026, this is decrease from the average of 28 working days for the programme year 2024/2025.

AIM Level 7 support enables providers to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting. In recognition of best practice in this area, this support is designed to improve inclusion and ensure meaningful participation of all children in the room.