Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
541. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the actions her Department will take to ensure all children awarded summer provision are provided with a place given there are still a number of schools not signing up to the scheme despite the lifting of staffing barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17332/23]
View answerThe Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.
The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme. Measures to encourage schools to sign up and provide places on the school-based summer programme are as follows:
This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.
This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. 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. 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.
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-
• The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
• The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.
• The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
• Further supports that will facilitate schools run a school based programme 2023:
• School Organiser Role - In 2023, instead of preparation hours, there will be a dedicated role of School Organiser in each school offering the summer programme. The School Organiser will receive additional remuneration for their role. This is envisaged to be a key leadership role that will offer development opportunities for staff in schools.
• Summer Programme Manager - In all schools (mainstream and special), the role that was previously called the Overseer will now be called the Summer Programme Manager.
• Staff training – This year there will be information and training session provided to all schools, including special schools, which will provided guidance and training.
• Length of school day for special schools - the length of the day for children’s activities is being reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm or alternate hours which best fits the school’s need. Four hours of activities for children must be provided each day, this again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.
• Flexibility in Weeks - The weeks schools run a programme do not have to be consecutive, the scheme is flexible to allow schools choose weeks which best suit their needs and staff availability.
• Continuation of 2022 supports - Other enhanced measures from last year will continue to encourage schools’ participation, including a Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools, earlier payment of school staff and an additional capitation to cover the running costs of the scheme, as well as enhanced capitation for special schools.
• Helpline support has been available to schools since the launch of the programme. The online registration portals for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools opened on 1 March 2023. Participating schools can request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
• Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is also available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal went live on the 1 March 2023 on www.educationposts.ie. 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 there are information/training webinars provided to support all schools to organise a Summer Programme.
• Lastly, a Home-based programme will be available once again for pupils with complex special education needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Details of Home-based programme will be published later in April.
