Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
311. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education what budget cuts have been made to the national school summer programme that schools can opt into for students with complex educational needs or disadvantage; what funding will be made available for this crucial service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21498/24]
View answerDetails of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. The Department of Education also recently announced that funding of €40m has been secured again to ensure that a comprehensive summer programme will be available in 2024. This builds on the successful summer programmes of the last three years. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools, once again, have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
While the capitation rate in mainstream schools was raised to €45 in 2023, the capitation rate for 2024 has reverted to the €30 rate per week which is in line with the rate for the Inclusion Programme in previous years. This rate is cognisant of all costs associated with running a summer programme and is very favourably compared to the normal capitation during the school year, which is approximately €5 per week. To assist schools further this year, in the special class group or the combined group setting, schools do have the flexibility to consider how best to align the existing resource allocation to accommodate more children into these groups.
There are a range of supports being provided to schools to facilitate them to run the programme which has seen the programme grow every year since 2019. In 2023, more than 50,000 children took part compared to 13,000 children in 2019.
The Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. However, the Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2024 programme.
A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the use of the Summer Programme budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. Consequently, the Department has seen a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in primary schools and we it is expected to see a further rise in 2024.
Other supports include:
• Schools having the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A staff portal is now available on www.educationposts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme in a Special School. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
• This year also continues with the pilot programme which was developed specifically for special school in 2023. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools. As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme.
• The continuation of key roles on the Summer Programme such as the School Organiser role and the Summer Programme Manager role. These roles are envisaged to be key leadership roles which offered development opportunities for staff in schools.
• A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
• Other enhanced measures are in place to encourage schools’ participation. These include a Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools and earlier payment of school staff.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 09064 84292 to address any specific queries regarding year’s school-based scheme or queries can be directed to schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, it is expected that the Home-based programme will be available for pupils with complex special educational needs. Details of this year’s Home-based programme will shortly be published and will include full details on eligibility criteria.
