Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
153. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of additional schools accessed the summer provision during 2021; the anticipated demand for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23827/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department ran an expanded summer education programme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage for Summer 2021, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this expansion, students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage had access to an enhanced summer programme of education. The total funding available to provide the programme was €40 million, which was a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.
The programme’s aims were to support pupils to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote well-being and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they could move on to their planned educational placement for the start of the next school year along with their peers.
For the first time ever, all schools (primary and-post primary) were encouraged to provide summer programmes and the eligibility criteria was extended to include post-primary children with complex needs and children at risk of educational disadvantage. Prior to this expansion, summer programmes were only available to special schools and pupils in special classes in primary schools and in DEIS schools. This resulted in 945 schools participating in the overall programme, a rise of 72% over 2020. 24,656 pupils participated in the 2021 school-based programme, an increase of 85% over 2020.
The 2022 summer programme was launched last week, with schools invited to register to participate in the different strands of the programme along the same lines as that offered in 2021. While the number of schools taking part has risen over the last 2 years we want to continue this growth in participation further.
