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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Questions (462, 471, 472, 473, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 486)

Pauline Tully

Question:

462. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if there is guidance provided to home tutors employed to teach children with autism, especially children who are preschool age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24066/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

471. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending the school-based summer education programme from four weeks to six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24287/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

472. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that took part in the school-based summer education programmes in 2020; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme if the same number of schools participate in 2021; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme in 2021 if the number of schools participating increased by ten, 20 and 40, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24288/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

473. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers who participated in the school-based summer education programme 2020; the pay cost for teachers taking part in the programme in 2020; the average payment teachers received for taking part in the programme in 2020; the estimated additional cost of raising this payment by 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24289/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

476. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the school-based summer education programme 2020 with PPE; the average cost per staff member of supplying personal protective equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24292/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

477. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending teaching hours during the home-based summer education programme from ten hours per week to 15 and 20 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24293/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

478. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending the home-based summer education programme from four weeks to five and six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24294/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

479. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the home-based summer education programme 2020 with equipment; the average cost per staff member of supplying equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24295/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

480. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the numbers of places made available for children wishing to take part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the number of children who applied for the programme in 2020; the number of children who took part in the programme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24296/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

481. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of increasing the number of places available for children with complex needs on the summer education programme by 100, 200 and 300; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24297/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

482. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that took part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme if the same number of schools participate in 2021; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme in 2021 if the number of schools participating increased by ten, 20 and 40, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24298/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

483. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs assistants who participated in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the pay cost for special needs assistants taking part in the programme in 2020; the average payment SNAs received for taking part in the programme in 2020; the estimated additional cost of raising this payment by 5% 10% and 15%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24299/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020 with personal protective equipment; the average cost per staff member of supplying personal protective equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24302/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 462, 471 to 473, inclusive, 476 to 483, inclusive, and 486 together.

The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a Covid-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

This is an incredibly important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage schools to offer the programme, including measures to reduce the administrative burden, provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, earlier payment of school staff and provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer to work on the programme.

The programme’s aims are to support students to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.

A home-based summer programme will continue to be available for students with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school based programme.

The programmes were developed following extensive engagement with education and disability stakeholders. My Department is now working to ensure the necessary supports, guidance and information is made available to both schools and families.

I encourage the school communities to take full advantage of this opportunity and offer this valuable programme to their students.

14,000 children participated in the 2020 SEN Summer Programmes.

Approximately 6,100 teachers and 3,000 SNAs participated in the SEN summer provision programmes.

In 2020 the school based programme cost €6.5m, the home based programme cost 12.3m giving a total cost of €18.8m

The detailed costings requested by the Deputy are not readily available. My officials are currently compiling this information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

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