Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
148. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the implementation of the expanded summer programme for children with complex educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31673/23]
View answerThe Department announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools once again 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.
The Primary School Scheme this year 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 pilot programme 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 was appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them in running a programme. A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have already taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
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 request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
Schools have been given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal was made available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, have also been able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme. The portal has seen over 1500 personnel registered for schools to avail of, where staffing numbers is a barrier.
The Home-based programme is again 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 the Home-based programme have been published which include full details on eligibility criteria. Full information was issued to schools directly and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. Also, this year we are promoting the Private Group Provider element of the Home based programme where groups and organisations can seek funding to provide programmes, with staffing profiles similar to special classes, and these can support children with more complex needs.
The 2023 programme builds on the progress that has been made over the last number of years, which it has seen participation of children grow from 13,000 in 2019 to over 42,000 in 2022. The measures introduced this year are proving successful and based on the number of registrations, it is anticipated that there will be a 20% increase on the overall figures and a 50% increase on the number of special schools participating in the Summer Programme in 2023.
