Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
440. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the rationale behind EPV days for teachers providing school-based July Provision; and if she will consider making payment for EPV days tax-free and if she will make a statement on the matter (details supplied). [36004/23]
View answerDetails 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.
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 also engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 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.
Children entering primary school in September 2023 and who meet the above criteria are also eligible for the programme.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the home-based programme is again available for pupils with complex special educational needs.
In relation to the awarding of Extra Personal Vacation (EPV) days under the Summer Programme, it has been a long-standing policy of the Department’s that only teachers in the Special Class and Special School Scheme of the Summer Programme were entitled to EPV days. This policy has not changed so schools may continue to proceed to grant EPV days for teachers engaged with the special class groups on this year’s Summer Programme as part of the Primary School scheme. The Special Schools Scheme also provides for EPV days for teachers. Where required, it is open to participating schools to request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
EPV days can also be granted to Summer Programme Managers (previously referred to as the Overseer) of special schools and schools participating with special classes on this year’s Summer Programme. The Manager, like the teacher who is engaged in delivering the Summer Programme in a special class, is entitled to one EPV day for each week worked in that capacity (subject to a maximum of four EPV days).
The table below provides further clarity on EPV day eligibility.
|
- |
|
|
Eligible for EPV Days |
|
1 |
Pupils enrolled in special classes: pupils enrolled in any special class attached to a mainstream school |
Staffing (teachers and SNAs) is the same as the special class resource allocation which exists during the school year e.g. pupils are enrolled in a special class for children with Autism: Pupil/Teacher ratio for these Summer programmes is 6:1 and two SNAs. |
Yes |
|
2 |
Pupils with complex special educational needs and/or pupils at risk of educational disadvantage enrolled in mainstream classes |
Pupil/Teacher ratio will be 12:1 and one SNA |
No |
|
3 |
A combined group of pupils with special class placements and eligible pupils with complex special educational needs and/or those at risk of educational disadvantage who are in mainstream class placements |
Staffing (teachers and SNAs) is the same as the special class allocation which exists during the school year e.g. Pupil has a place in a special class for children with Autism: Pupil/Teacher ratio for the Summer programme is 6:1 and two SNAs |
Yes |
|
4 |
DEIS Summer Camp / Campaí Samhraidh |
N/A |
No |
|
5 |
Home based Summer Programme |
N/A |
No |
The Summer Programme is reliant on schools, teachers and SNAs choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. The pay rates for teachers and SNAs participating in the Summer Programme are determined through collective bargaining with the unions and are paid in addition to their existing salaries. In accordance with instructions from the Revenue Commissioners, such payments are subject to the normal statutory deductions.
As outlined in the terms and conditions, the 2023 Summer Programme introduces a new Organiser role to help support schools in their planning and participation in the Summer Programme.
This year, instead of preparation hours, there is a dedicated role of School Organiser in each school offering the Summer Programme. The School Organiser receives additional remuneration for their role. This role is envisaged to be a key leadership role that will offer development opportunities for staff in schools. In special schools, this role attracts additional remuneration in recognition of the complexities of organising the programme in that environment. The School Organiser in all schools has responsibility to develop the school’s Summer Programme and for the recruitment of staff.
Activities which can be carried out by the organiser are:
• Engaging with associated Summer Programme training provided by the Department and/or other agencies.
• Familiarising teachers/SNAs with guidance materials and resources provided by the Department.
• Recruiting staff to work on the summer programme, both internally and externally.
• Where schools are using external staff, establishing procedures to facilitate the sharing of relevant pupil information, appropriate planning documentation and details of school policies and procedures to new staff or to staff who are unfamiliar with the pupils.
• Working collaboratively with school personnel to identify the pupils who should participate on the school-based programme and communicating with their parents/guardians.
• Developing the school’s summer programme and activities in line with this year’s theme.
• Developing a timetable for the Summer Programme.
• Where required, making arrangements for transport.
• Liaising with the school’s Esinet Local Administrator to ensure they are including external staff on the schools resource / staff list. This activity needs to be completed before the Summer Programme Manager has taken over.
The Organiser is also required to collaborate with the school’s Summer Programme Manager prior to commencement of each scheme to support the delivery of the Summer Programme in the school. This handover of duties to the Summer Programme Manager is needed as part of the Organiser’s preparation work.
The terms and conditions document for the various 2023 Summer Programme Schemes are available at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
