Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
464. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason payment for work carried out as part of the July provision is not issued until November; if his attention has been drawn to the financial difficulties this can cause for SNAs who do not have an alternative form of income or are looking for work; the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39001/17]
View answerThe July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. The programme is also available for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability.
Where a school chooses not to extend their services for July, all eligible children are granted home based July provision, on application.
This year's common pay date of 2nd November 2017 was well advertised prior to the start of the July Education Programme.
In 2016 over 8,700 children benefitted from the July Education Programme. This resulted in approximately 8,300 payments being issued.
