483. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children receiving AIM supports in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, by county, by year, and by duration of wait, in tabular form. [66307/26]

484. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children waiting to receive AIM supports in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, by county, by year, and by duration of wait, in tabular form. [66306/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.

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.

The following shows the number of children receiving AIM level 7 targeted supports, with the average processing time of applications. This is shown by county and by year for each level, in tabular form. Please note that the 2026 figures are as at 11th September.

Co Monaghan AIM Level 7

Co Cavan AIM Level 7