Blended Model of Delivery
Fully Funded by the DCDE and Free to Participate
Extra Capitation for Settings
Extra INCO Capitation for Settings
Early Learning and Care Settings that register a graduate of the LINC Programme as their settings Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) will receive an extra €2 per week in capitation per ECCE-eligible child in a pre-school room, where the child is on an ECCE/CCSP/TEC programme. Subject to detailed operational guidelines, the increase applies from
a) Graduation of the Inclusion Coordinator from the LINC Programme
b) Completion of a signed agreement by the Inclusion Coordinator confirming that they will take on the roles and responsibilities associated with the post.
The additional €2 capitation applies to all children in the setting.
Programme Funding
As the course is fully funded by the DCDE, it is free to participate in.
Only settings with an ECCE Contract are eligible to apply.
Blended Model
of Delivery
The programme is based on a blended model of delivery addressing the learning requirements and needs of our students.
The programme consists of six modules delivered over Autumn/Spring semesters. Each module will consist of 3 recorded lessons each week which students can listen to at any time, a weekly online tutorial, one in person Saturday class per module and one mentoring visitor to the students ELC setting. Students will be invited to select their preferred location for the Saturday classes as part of the application process. Students must have access to a reliable internet connection and a desktop/laptop computer in order to complete the programme.
LINC 2026/2027 will commence in September 2026 and conclude in April 2027.
Capitation where a setting employs more than 1 LINC Graduate:
Only one LINC Graduate can be appointed as the official Inclusion Coordinator for that setting. Settings with two LINC Graduates will only receive the INCO capitation payment in relation to one graduate only. For the purpose of AIM rules and compliance checks there should only be one primary INCO to whom the INCO capitation will relate, however, settings can allocate tasks and both graduates can work as a team. If the primary INCO leaves the setting, the second graduate can be immediately appointed as the INCO by completing the Notification of Changes form, ensuring there would not be any gap in additional capitation due.
Watch
How one setting manager uses their extra capitation allowance from having an Inclusion Coordinator in their setting.