1048. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports available to assist a child (details supplied) in accessing appropriate early learning, childcare and early intervention services; and whether transport supports will be made available where a suitable placement is not available locally. [65164/26]

The Access and Inclusion Model or AIM is a programme of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education or ECCE programme. 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.

A core feature and strength of AIM is that it does not require a diagnosis. Instead, resources are allocated based on a child’s individual needs. The Access and Inclusion Model is supported by Better Start, who work with settings providing advice and guidance to support the needs of the child concerned. These supports combined with a service open to providing for a child can support an appropriate placement.

While this Department oversees AIM, early learning and childcare providers are private entities and are responsible for their own admissions policies, which are outside the Department’s remit.

I would encourage your constituent to make contact with their local County Childcare Committee (CCC), which is funded by this Department to support parents and providers. Kildare CCC may be able to provide assistance to your constituent in finding a suitable place closer to their home and can address any issues of concern. They can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need. They can be contacted by phone at (045) 861 307, by email at info@kccc.ie, or through their website at www.kccc.ie/.

Regarding transport, while AIM provides for a series of in-service supports including advice, equipment and additional staffing depending on the individual needs of the child, it does not provide funding for transport. General funding through state subsidised fees may at the discretion of the provider be used to support a transport service offer.