Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
351. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if the ratio of SEN pupils to staff for the summer programme can be the same for SEN pupils enrolled in mainstream schools as it is for the SEN children enrolled in special classes, that is six pupils with one teacher and two SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32928/21]
View answerMy Department 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 important 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 provided in DEIS schools last year.
The following are the programmes which can be provided by schools in summer 2021:
- Summer Programme for pupils with Complex Educational Needs and pupils at risk of Educational Disadvantage
- Special Class and Special School Programme
- Literacy Numeracy Summer Camp/Campai Samhraidh
All children and young people enrolled in special schools or special classes in primary school are eligible to participate in the summer programme, where the school decides to offer the programme. This programme will run for between 2, 3, 4 or 5 weeks (min 2 weeks) during July and August during the summer break. Where a school decides not to operate the programme, these children and young people may avail of the home-based programme.
The staffing (teacher and SNAs) ratios for children with complex needs in special schools and special classes are the same as during the school year.
In relation to the programme for students enrolled in mainstream classes, the normal staffing/pupil ratio is 1 teacher and 1 SNA for a group of 12 students. However, it is open to schools to apply to this department for additional teaching and SNAs support where there are more than 6 children with complex special educational needs in the group.
