I am asking this question for Deputy Wall. Will the Minister provide the number of access and inclusion model childcare places provided since 2020 by county in tabular form? What are the actions she is taking to increase the number of places? Will she make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.12

I thank the Minister. I appreciate that. If that table could also be shared with my colleague, Deputy Wall, that would be great. AIM is extremely important for early childhood care. As the Minister will know from her previous Department, the resourcing of special educational needs supports is very necessary in every facet of education. The issue of maintaining AIM comes back to financial constraints as regards level 7 and trying to get people into level 7 courses so that they can provide the universal and targeted supports the Minister has mentioned. At the end of year 3, the evaluation report outlined that work was under way to encourage families of students with less visible disabilities, such as speech and language issues and autism spectrum disorders in particular, to come in. I would appreciate if the Minister could share that information with Deputy Wall, as she said she will.

Sentiment score: 0.53

I thank the Minister. That is really to be welcomed. As the Minister has mentioned it, I will briefly touch on enhancing settings, access to settings and capital grants. As she has said, if we are trying to move towards more targeted supports for children with less visible disabilities, such as those on the autism spectrum and those who have speech and language difficulties, targeted support and capital grants for enhancing access to settings will be much needed. The Minister's reply is very much welcomed.

Sentiment score: 0.40