Question 1

What criteria are used to select successful applicants?

Accepted Answer

Any ECCE contracted setting can nominate an employee or a manager to apply for the LINC Programme. The setting manager can nominate themselves or any member of the settingu2019s staff.    To be eligible to apply for the LINC Programme, Applicants must have the minimum qualifications to work in an Early Learning & Care Setting, in accordance with the DCDEu2019s Early Years Recognised Qualification Listing.    Settings that already have a LINC graduate can nominate another employee from their settings to complete LINC this year, based on the criteria outlined below. Only one application allowed per eligible setting.    Random selection of eligible applicants will apply.u00a0Priorityu00a0will be given to eligible applications in the following order:  Settings that do not currently employ a LINC Graduate / registered INCO.  Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and are an Equal Start setting.  Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and have less than 22 ECCE eligible children.  All other settings    *As registered with Pobal in September 2025.

Question 2

Can I defer my place?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, it is not possible to defer an offer of a place. If you are not in a position to take up a place this year, you should reject the offeru00a0and you may re-apply next year, providingu00a0you are eligible to do so.

Question 3

Who can apply for LINC?

Accepted Answer

Any ECCE contracted setting can nominate an employee or a manager to apply for the LINC Programme. The setting manager can nominate themselves or any member of the settingu2019s staff.  To be eligible to apply for the LINC Programme, Applicants must have the minimum qualifications to work in an Early Learning & Care Setting, in accordance with the DCDEu2019s Early Years Recognised Qualification Listing.  Settings that already have a LINC graduate can nominate another employee from their settings to complete LINC this year, based on the criteria outlined below. Only one application allowed per eligible setting.    Random selection of eligible applicants will apply.u00a0Priorityu00a0will be given to eligible applications in the following order:  1. Settings that do not currently employ a LINC Graduate / registered INCO.  2. Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and are an Equal Start setting.  3. Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and have less than 22 ECCE eligible children.  4. All other settings    *As registered with Pobal in September 2025.

Question 4

Can someone employed by funding received through AIM Level 7 apply to the LINC Programme?

Accepted Answer

A manager may nominate any employee to participate in the LINC Programme once they hold the minimum qualification required to work in an Early Learning and Care (ELC) setting, in accordance with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE)u2019s Early Years Recognised Qualification list. It should be noted, however, that in order for the service to get the additional capitation after LINC, the graduate must continue to be employed, and to be appointed as an INCO (INclusion COordinator). Managers, therefore, would need to consider what would happen if they were no longer in receipt of Level 7 funding, and therefore were not continuing to employ the person funded under AIM. Most services, therefore, should consider nominating a permanent employee to complete LINC so they can benefit from this capitation on an ongoing basis.    As a side note: under AIM, where the other supports are not sufficient to meet the needs of the child, pre-school providers, in partnership with parents, can apply for additional capitation to fund extra support in the classroom or to enable the reduction of the staff to child ratio. Where the ratio is being reduced, there is not meant to be any difference between any of the Early Years' Teacher(s) (practitioners/educators) in the same room in terms of job description - they are not meant to be specifically working with individual children but with all children within the room. Therefore, there is no advantage to selecting someone funded under AIM Level 7 to do LINC, while, in fact, as the LINC Graduate becomes the INCO, it may be of more use that a permanent employee who will lead inclusion across the setting would complete LINC.    Further information on the Level 7 supports is available at: http://aim.gov.ie/faqs/#d

Question 5

How is the programme delivered?

Accepted Answer

The programme is delivered through a blended model designed to meet the learning needs of our students. Each module consists of three recorded lessons per week, which students can access at any time, a weekly online tutorial, and one in-person Saturday class per module held at the following locations: Westmeath, Cork, Dublin City, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo.    Students will receive a mentoring visit to their setting from a LINC Tutor. The purpose of the mentoring visit is to support students in applying the concepts and theories from the LINC Programme to their practice, with a focus on inclusive culture, inclusive practice, and inclusive pedagogy.    Assessments include written assignments, multiple-choice quizzes, and the development of resources. These assessments are designed to link studentsu2019 practical experience in their settings with the LINC module content.

Question 6

What is the deadline for applications?

Accepted Answer

Applications must be submitted by 2pm on Monday 24th November 2025.

Question 7

Do I have to be employed in an Early Learning & Care Setting to apply for the LINC Programme?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must be employed in an Early Learning & Care Setting.

Question 8

Do I need to supply details of my qualification when making my application?

Accepted Answer

You will be asked to submit your highest relevant early childhood education and care qualification and the name of the last education institute attended. This needs to be uploaded in either a PDF, jpeg or jpg file format.u00a0

Question 9

How do I accept an offer of a place?

Accepted Answer

Successful applicants will be advised by email of the offer of a place. If the offer is not accepted by the deadline, the offer is forfeited and the place is offered to another applicant.

Question 10

How dou00a0I apply?

Accepted Answer

All applications must be completed online via the 'Apply Now' page here.    You will need the following information in order to complete an application on behalf of your setting:  Step 1: You will be asked to create an account in order to access the application system. As part of account creation, you will be asked to enter your setting reference (Pobal reference number).  Step 2: You will need to select the programme you are applying for which is 'Certificate in Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINCEYUPB). Then click continue.  Step 3: You will then be brought to my application tasks where you will be asked to enter your personal details (name, mobile number, home address, personal email address, PPS number, date of birth, previous UL/MIC Student ID Number if applicable.  Step 4: You will be asked to submit your highest relevant early childhood education and care qualification and the name of the last education institute attended. This needs to be uploaded in either a PDF, jpeg or jpg file format.u00a0u00a0  Step 5: You will be asked if your setting employs a staff member who is a graduate of the LINC Programme.u00a0  Step 6: Once you have completed all of the application tasks you will be asked to submit your application. Once your application is submitted, both the applicant and the setting manager will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. (Please check your spam/junk folders)

Question 11

I am working on a CE scheme in a setting, can I submit an application?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately applicants must be employed by the setting.

Question 12

If a setting applied previously, can they apply again?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they can.

Question 13

There are two people in my setting that want to apply can they both make an application?

Accepted Answer

Only one application can be submitted per setting per academic year.

Question 14

When will I be notified if my application is successful?

Accepted Answer

We hope to make offers to eligible applicants in December 2025. Further details will be emailed to individuals and their employers at that point.