Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
242. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that are running summer catch-up programmes in an area (details supplied) in summer 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37055/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021.
This is an important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.
The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.
The following categories of students are considered as students with complex needs for the 2021
Summer programme
- All students in special schools and special classes in primary and post primary schools, including early intervention classes.
- Students in mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support (Student Support Plus/for a few). This includes students with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were identified for the supplementary programme earlier this year.
Children in the above categories entering primary school in September 2021 are also eligible for the programme.
My Department recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme.
The programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
It is 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.
A home-based summer programme is available for children with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school-based programme.
Under the home-based programme grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a Teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home. Parents are advised to contact the school for an application form if required.
The Department will approve a group arrangement between parents/legal guardians and private providers subject to compliance with the published terms and conditions for group arrangements and approved in advance by this Department. Such arrangements must be sourced and procured by parents/legal guardians
Further information on group terms and conditions is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/62b3b-home-based-summer-programme-2021-terms-and-conditions-for-group-arrangements/
The closing date was 25 June. To date, a total 968 schools have registered their interest to provide a total of 1,346 programmes over the summer period.
Of these, 175 schools in Dublin have expressed interest in running at least one programme.
It is not yet clear how many of these schools will be in a position to implement the summer programme. However, my Department will be happy to provide a list of participating schools, once this detail has been confirmed.
Based on the overall registered numbers, it is expected that a total of 34,000 students will benefit from school-based programmes in 2021. This would be an increase of 161 per cent on actual take up in 2020.
