Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
320. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if the co-ordinator for the summer programme will continue for the programme this coming summer; and if they are available to support both Special Schools and mainstream schools to provide a school-based programme. [8096/24]
View answerThe details of the 2024 Summer Programme will be announced shortly. As in previous years, the main priority for the 2024 Summer Programme will be to ensure children and young people with the most complex needs should have access to a school-based programme.
In 2023, the role of National Co-ordinator was established with a particular focus on increasing the participation of special schools. Consequently, more than 50% of special schools participated in the 2023 Summer Programme than in 2022. I am pleased to advise that the National Co-ordinator will continue on in their role again in 2024 and will continue to liaise solely with Special Schools in order to facilitate them in running a Summer Programme.
Even so, I can advise that every school who participates in the Summer Programme will be able to appoint a dedicated person to the role of Summer Programme Organiser. This role was introduced last year for the purpose of designing a scheme that best fitted the needs and requirements of the pupils participating in the 2023 Summer Programme. As the Organiser is already a fixed term teacher in the school, they would be cognisant of each child’s needs and are able to ensure that staff employed on the programme are aware of appropriate information so that they can support participation. The Organiser can also be utilised where schools are using external staff by 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. Other duties include:
• The Organiser working collaboratively with school personnel to identify the pupils who should participate on the school based programme and communicate with their parents/guardian.
• Developing the school’s summer programme and activities in line with this year’s theme.
The main premise of the role of Organiser is therefore to support schools, pupils and staff in running a school-based programme.
Details of this year’s Summer Programme, including details on guidance and training material, will be issued to schools directly and will be published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
