Michael Healy-Rae
Question:590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the outcome of a review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28159/23]
View answerTuesday, 13 June 2023
Questions (590)
Written answers
Details of this year’s Summer Programme were announced by the Department on 9 February 2023. Again, 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 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.
Schools with special classes running a school based scheme are asked to 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 with the remaining places on the programme being offered to those at most risk of educational disadvantage
The Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. However, 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.
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. I am delighted to say that the number of special schools registered to take part this summer has increased by over 50%.
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 is 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 has been published along with full details on eligibility criteria. Full information has also been issued to schools directly and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
The review process of the 2022 Summer Programme was part of the development of this year’s Summer Programme and its terms and conditions. The outcomes and improvements identified in the review are addressed specifically in the terms and conditions’ documentation for this year's programme and are based on the culmination of engagements and feedback from this process. This terms and conditions’ documentation are published on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.