Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
267. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will address the disparity that exists in the School Summer Programme whereby children in multi-disability classes in mainstream primary schools are required to be in school for a longer day, and yet receive the same funding allocation as children in special schools who are not required to attend a full day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45263/23]
View answerDetails of this year’s Summer Programme were announced by the Department on 9 February 2023. Again, all schools had an opportunity to run a programme for those children that needed it the most.
The central theme for this year’s programme was ‘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 was 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 were implemented following a comprehensive review and extensive engagement with education partners and stakeholders, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. The Department 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 was 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 who were entering primary school in September 2023 and who met the above criteria were also eligible for the programme.
In 2023, a pilot scheme specifically for special schools was introduced. The Special School Pilot Programme recognised the complexities of organising a summer programme in special school environments and was designed to ensure supports were targeted. These targeted measures included a higher level of capitation to cover the running costs of the scheme whilst additional grant funding was provided in order to mitigate against their unique circumstances that arise during the summer months.
As part of the pilot, the length of the core day was also reduced from the full school day to 10 am – 2 pm in special schools only. This again recognised the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school, particularly the logistical and practical concerns that would not be present in mainstream schools to the same extent, such as break time routines and transport concerns.
In relation to primary mainstream schools, a new Scheme under the Summer Programme was also introduced. This Primary Mainstream School Scheme replaced the Inclusion and Special Class programmes of previous years and it allowed for a more cohesive and inclusive approach. It was still open to schools to offer places to pupils enrolled in special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
To further support the inclusive approach of this scheme, primary mainstream schools were given more options in relation to numbers of groups that they could provide a programme for. Previously, there were defined allocations in relation to the number of groups that schools could run a programme for, based on the size of a school. This approach was now more reflective of meeting the individual needs of a school and the children who were eligible to take part. As part of this inclusive approach, there was no change to the hours in the school day when running the Primary Mainstream Scheme.
