364. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the sanctioning of AIM Level 7 support is not given until July (details supplied); the reason these decisions cannot be made earlier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52499/26]

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with a disability or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (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 7 support provides additional funding to ELC providers for a child who requires 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 an additional 3 hours per day during term time, or 6 hours per day during non-term time.

A redesign of the AIM Level 7 application process is currently being undertaken and this will simplify processes, reduce administrative demands on services, and improve the overall application experience. If a service wishes to access AIM Level 7 supports, they can express their interest by submitting an AIM Level 4 application form. As part of the Level 4 application process, an Early Years Specialist will contact the service provider by phone. During this call, the provider should indicate if they wish to avail of AIM Level 7 supports.

As part of the redesigned process, the level of support allocated to a child will be determined after the AIM Level 4 application has been submitted and Better Start has carried out an initial review of the child’s needs. Preliminary decisions on the level of support, including Level 7 if relevant, determined at the AIM Level 4 application stage have begun issuing to providers since the start of this July.

While employment decisions are a matter for providers, the Scheme Administrator Pobal has confirmed that the preliminary decision is expected to be final, subject to the provider completing a subsequent Level 7 application in August if relevant. This brief application will serve as a confirmation step to ensure that the relevant child registrations, including ECCE and, where applicable, NCS, are in place.

The process differs from the Level 7 application process used previously, but this interim arrangement for this year is delivering approvals within the advised 12-week timeframe. Pobal published an FAQ on the HIVE on 1 July to assist providers, which explains in detail the changes to the Level 7 application process and responds to the queries which have arisen on the interim arrangement including queries on timelines and recruitment. When the new simplified application process is fully operational, AIM Level 7 assessments and decisions will be made in a much shorter timeframe.