Brendan Griffin
Question:254. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a child (details supplied) in County Kerry will qualify for the July Provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20004/23]
View answerThursday, 27 April 2023
Questions (254)
Written answers
The Department announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools 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 well-being 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.
This year’s school based programme is open to pupils enrolled in special schools, special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
Schools with special classes running a school based scheme should prioritise students in special classes when assigning places for their programme. All students attending special classes are eligible to participate in their school’s summer programme. Subsequent places can then be given to pupils with complex special educational needs in mainstream classes
Children entering primary school in September 2023 and who meet the above criteria are also eligible for the programme. Remaining places on the programme should be offered to those at most risk of educational disadvantage.
Full details on eligibility are available on gov.ie/summerprogramme. 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. 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.
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.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 09064 84292 to address any specific queries regarding year’s scheme or queries can be directed to schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Participating schools can also request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
This year’s Home-based programme will be available for pupils with complex special educational needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable.
Details of this year’s Home-based programme will be published shortly along with full details on eligibility criteria. Full information, when available, will issue to schools directly and published on gov.ie/summerprogramme.
Based on the details supplied, it appears that the child is in a preschool setting. If he is entering primary school in September 2023 and meets the criteria, he may be eligible for the school-based summer programme provided the primary school he is to attend is running the Summer Programme and has a place available. Alternatively, where the primary school is not running the Summer Programme or, if it is being run but the school does not have a place available, the home-based summer programme may be available. Either way, it is advisable that his parent(s) contact the primary school to ascertain if they can accommodate their child in this year’s programme.