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<strong>Minister Roderic O’ Gorman and Minister Anne Rabbitte welcome Government approval of the Disability Action Plan 2024 – 2026</strong>

26 July 2023

Minister Roderic O’ Gorman and Minister Anne Rabbitte welcome Government approval of the Disability Action Plan 2024 – 2026

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, and Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, today welcomed Government approval of the Disability Action Plan 2024-2026. The Action Plan represents a key step in the expansion and reform of specialist community-based disability services including day services, respite and residential services, personal assistance and…
Resources to Support Outdoor Play

25 July 2023

Resources to Support Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is vital to the healthy development and wellbeing of all children. This resource aims to support the delivery of outdoor play in the home, school and community. Middletown Centre for Autism has a range of practical strategies and resources to support outdoor play. The advice includes practical strategies on designing inclusive playgrounds, using…
<strong>New resources developed to help children and young people with autism and/or dyslexia to reach their full potential in a naíonra or Irish-medium or Gaeltacht school</strong>

3 July 2023

New resources developed to help children and young people with autism and/or dyslexia to reach their full potential in a naíonra or Irish-medium or Gaeltacht school

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Let’s Get Ready Campaign 2023

27 June 2023

Let’s Get Ready Campaign 2023

The Let’s Get Ready webpage has been updated for this year’s campaign. The Let’s Get Ready campaign aims to support settings, parents and primary schools to ensure that the transition to preschool and primary school is as easy as possible for children. The webpage includes a reminder on My Little Library and useful information on…
<strong>First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery at Bord Bia Bloom 2023</strong>

31 May 2023

First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery at Bord Bia Bloom 2023

The First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery – designed by children for children – will be on show at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park, Dublin this June Bank Holiday weekend. This unique large concept garden will promote the importance of outdoor play for young children.  This is part of…
My Inclusion Plan

16 May 2023

My Inclusion Plan

The My Inclusion Plan has been developed to outline actions, adaptations and additional assistance that may be required to ensure children’s inclusion in Early Learning and Care Settings. The plan is developed by the Early Learning and Care Practitioners working with the child, in partnership with the child’s parent/guardian or carer and in consultation with…
Updated Application Opening Date for AIM Levels 4, 5, 7 for the 2023/24 Programme Year

27 April 2023

Updated Application Opening Date for AIM Levels 4, 5, 7 for the 2023/24 Programme Year

Applications for AIM Levels 4, 5 and 7 for the 2023/24 programme year will now open on the Early Years Hive platform at 12 noon on Friday 5th May 2023. Whilst the AIM application process remains open year round, providers and parents are advised, where possible, to apply at least three months before the child’s…
Minister Rabbitte publishes Autism Innovation Strategy Public Consultation Report

18 April 2023

Minister Rabbitte publishes Autism Innovation Strategy Public Consultation Report

To coincide with World Autism Month 2023, Minister for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, has published a report analysing submissions received during an open public consultation designed to inform the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy. This public consultation was convened in April 2022 and was designed to capture views about the challenges facing Autistic people in…
The Lámh Project

14 April 2023

The Lámh Project

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could say Hello to everyone? Lámh is a manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland. Lámh opens up a person’s world and is a powerful communication tool. People are able to use signs to ask for what they want, to…
Tips and Information for Sensory Play

3 April 2023

Tips and Information for Sensory Play

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates the senses. It offers many benefits for children’s learning and development including increased body awareness, supporting brain development, enhancing memory, encouraging creative and independent thinking and more. Sensory activities can be adapted for different ages, needs and abilities. See the Sensory Play Tip Sheet for Early Years Educators…
<strong>Application Opening Dates for AIM Levels 4, 5, 7 and 1 for 2023/24 Programme Year</strong>

20 March 2023

Application Opening Dates for AIM Levels 4, 5, 7 and 1 for 2023/24 Programme Year

Applications for AIM Levels 4, 5 and 7 for the 2023/24 programme year open on the Early Years Hive platform on 2nd May 2023. Whilst the AIM application process remains open year round, providers and parents are advised, where possible, to apply at least three months before the child’s planned start date in ECCE in…
Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 with Mary Immaculate

13 March 2023

Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 with Mary Immaculate

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has entered into a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 with Mary Immaculate College for the sharing of LINC Data in Early Years care. The published DSA can be found here.…
Applications for the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme open on Monday 13th March 2023

6 March 2023

Applications for the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme open on Monday 13th March 2023

The LINC Programme is a Level 6 Special Purpose Award (Higher Education), which is fully funded by the Department of Children Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). The programme is designed to enhance and support children’s inclusion in the Early Years. The LINC programme is offered by a consortium led by Mary Immaculate College and…
Minister Rabbitte convenes first meeting of the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group

15 December 2022

Minister Rabbitte convenes first meeting of the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group

Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, today convened the first meeting of the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group. The group was recently appointed following an open call for expressions of interest which took place in June 2022. The group is majority Neurodiverse and will ensure that the voice of…
Applications for AIM Level 1 Higher Capitation Now Open for 2022/2023

14 September 2022

Applications for AIM Level 1 Higher Capitation Now Open for 2022/2023

The application process for increased Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) capitation, funded by Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in recognition of the leadership and mentoring role that will be delivered by the Inclusion Co-ordinator, during the 2022/2023 pre-school year is now open for existing graduates.  New graduates (i.e. graduating in October…
AIM rules for 2022/2023 Programme Year Published

30 August 2022

AIM rules for 2022/2023 Programme Year Published

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Rules for the 2022/2023 ECCE programme year are now available here. The AIM Rules are a useful resource for both parents and for the early learning and care sector. As indicated in the ECCE contract, pre-school services that avail of AIM are obliged to comply with the AIM Rules.…
Minister O’Gorman allocates additional funding to support children with disabilities access State-funded pre-school

29 August 2022

Minister O’Gorman allocates additional funding to support children with disabilities access State-funded pre-school

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth announced an increase in funding to support children with disabilities to access State-funded pre-school. Additional capitation, provided through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to enable a lower adult-child ratio, will increase by 14% from September 2022, rising from €210 per week to €240 per week.…
DSA Public Consultation Notice

23 August 2022

DSA Public Consultation Notice

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is intending to enter into a Data Sharing Agreement under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019. The proposed agreement, A Data Sharing Agreement between DCEDIY and Mary Immaculate College, will be available for public consultation athttps://www.gov.ie/consultations/DSA/ for a period of 28 days, from 22-08-2022…
Applications for AIM Level 1 Higher Capitation Now Open!

5 August 2021

Applications for AIM Level 1 Higher Capitation Now Open!

The application process for higher Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) capitation, funded by Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in recognition of the leadership and mentoring role that will be delivered by the Inclusion Co-ordinator, during the 2021/2022 pre-school year is now open for existing graduates.  New graduates (i.e. graduating in…
AIM Rules for 2021/2022 Programme Year Published

30 July 2021

AIM Rules for 2021/2022 Programme Year Published

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Rules for the 2021/2022 ECCE programme year are now available here: AIM Rules 2021/2022 The AIM Rules are a useful resource for both parents and for the early learning and care sector. If you are a pre-school provider we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the rules and also…
Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years (LINC) Programme opens for applications from 14/3/2022

19 April 2021

Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years (LINC) Programme opens for applications from 14/3/2022

The Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) programme is set to open for applications next week (19/04/2021). LINC is a free higher education Level 6 programme designed to enhance and support the inclusion of children with additional needs in Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings and graduates of the programme can take up a leadership role of Inclusion Coordinator within their ELC setting.…
Part 2 and Part 3 of the SPEL Q and A Webinar Now Available!

23 March 2021

Part 2 and Part 3 of the SPEL Q and A Webinar Now Available!

Following on from part 1 of the SPEL webinar we are happy to share parts 2 and 3 which feature Fiona O’Farrell, the subject matter expert who designed the SPEL course. These webinars will prove useful and informative to you if you are a previous participant in the SPEL programme or you would like to…
Covid19 – Updated Information for Parents, Early Learning and Childcare and School Age Childcare services

11 January 2021

Covid19 – Updated Information for Parents, Early Learning and Childcare and School Age Childcare services

The Department has published updated guidance documents and FAQ’s for parents, Early Learning and Childcare and School Age Childcare Services regarding current Covid19 restrictions.…
Minister O’Gorman Announces Additional Investment for AIM Level 7 Funding

15 December 2020

Minister O’Gorman Announces Additional Investment for AIM Level 7 Funding

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., today announced that additional funding for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) secured in Budget 2021 will be made available from January. AIM payments, which enable ECCE (free pre-school) providers to support inclusion of children by reducing the adult-child ratio within the pre-school room,…
AIM and Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme FAQ Published

19 November 2020

AIM and Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme FAQ Published

Please see FAQ regarding the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and AIM level 7 funding here: EWSS and AIM FAQs.…
The SPEL Q and A Webinar is Now Available!

19 August 2020

The SPEL Q and A Webinar is Now Available!

A while ago we asked past and current participants in the SPEL (Sensory Processing E-Learning) course if they had any questions about the course. Today, we are happy to share this webinar featuring Fiona O’Farrell, the subject matter expert who designed the SPEL course.  This webinar will prove useful and informative to you if you…
Resources for Parents

5 May 2020

Resources for Parents

We are pleased to announce that have added some more resources to our site! There is a range of activities for parents caring for children during the lockdown, these include; storytime with your child, play at home and sensory training to name a few.…
AIM programme wins global award for innovative policy

26 February 2020

AIM programme wins global award for innovative policy

We are pleased to announce that AIM has won a global award for innovative policy at this year’s Zero Project Awards, in recognition of the programme’s significant contribution to the inclusion of children with disabilities. The Zero Project focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. AIM was one of 11 innovative policies selected…