1011. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of special needs preschools in Tipperary; and if her Department plans to open more preschools for children with special needs, specifically preschools for children with Down syndrome. [64200/26]

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality does not provide preschools for children with disabilities or additional needs. Early Intervention preschools are funded by the Department of Education and Youth and do not fall under the remit of this Department.

This Department funds the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in mainstream settings.

The goal of AIM is to empower early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care in any mainstream service participating in ECCE.

Further information on AIM is available at https://aim.gov.ie/.