Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
232. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will issue guidelines to schools in managing the July provision programme in summer 2020; the reason for the delay in issuing guidelines on the July provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13561/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra233. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the shortage of places in schools that cannot facilitate all children with additional needs within the July provision programme; if such children can be transferred to a teacher from another school that still has places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
All special schools and primary schools with special classes are invited to provide the school based summer provision for their students. This programme will run for a minimum of two weeks and can extend up to four weeks where the schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants are willing to participate.
My Department issued guidance to these schools to support management and staff in the delivery of summer programmes for children with special educational needs and those experiencing educational disadvantage as we continue to operate in line with public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This guidance includes information in respect of hand hygiene, physical distancing, use of PPE and a risk assessment template.
The programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available whether or not it will participate in the programme.
To date, 231 have indicated they intend to provide the school based summer provision.
A child may avail of the programme provided by a primary school other than than his/her normal school. Eligible schools with special classes can accept eligible pupils from other school on the basis that the host school can accommodate the additional children within the existing resources of their classes.
Where a school facilitates eligible pupils from other schools, arrangements should be made for the transfer of all relevant pupil documentation, i.e. student profiles, IEPs etc, in order that teachers can plan appropriately. In addition, parents should be advised of all necessary school policies, procedures etc. of the host school
Home-based provision is available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year.
In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher/SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex special needs to access Summer Provision is now available on Gov.ie/summerprovision
Parents are asked to register their participation online, providing some outline information of the extent of their participation in the programme e.g. number of weeks.
Once registered, the parent is then free to plan and organise the programme for their child by consulting with the guidance on my Departments website.
A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced.
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision
