Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
259. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to extending the school year for children with special needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49173/18]
View answerMy Department's July Provision Grant Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for children with severe/profound general learning disabilities or children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays.
Under the scheme, the school year of participating schools is extended by four weeks in July.
Each year eligible schools are invited to participate in the Programme. Participation in the scheme by the school is voluntary and subject to the availability of suitably qualified personnel in July. Staffing resources for the JEP, i.e. teachers and SNAs are the same as those provided for the participating children during the normal school year.
Where school-based provision is not feasible, eligible students may be granted 40 hours home-based tuition (10 hours for each of the four weeks). The qualification standard for home based tuition reflects that required in a school environment.
The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education’s Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2016) included a review of the July Provision Grant Scheme.
In the course of preparing the advice, the NCSE consulted widely with a range of stakeholders including parents, teachers, academics, experts, psychologists, HSE officials and others.
The NCSE also reviewed relevant national and international research.
The Policy advice is available on the NCSE’s website.
My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and representatives from other Departments and agencies to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.
There are no plans to change the July provision scheme until this work is complete.
