Written Answers Nos. 265-284
265. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected with the Department of Social Protection regarding all schools that were awarded DEIS status in March 2022 that will not have access to the school meals programme for September 2022 due to budgetary constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom next September the DEIS programme will be extended to an additional 310 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. This now means that in the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme. 240,000 students or nearly 1 in 4 students will be supported in the programme.
My Department will work with the schools that will benefit from the programme to support them to make the transition. Information sessions are underway for schools on the DEIS programme, to outline the supports available and to support them in planning for improvement.
The school meals programme, under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. Priority access to the programme is one of the supports provided to schools currently in the DEIS programme. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Officials from my Department regularly engage with colleagues in the Department of Social Protection in relation to the school meals programme and related policy.
Any provision to extend the programme to the schools newly added to the DEIS programme will be considered by the Department of Social Protection as part of the budgetary process.
266. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding in primary schools across Limerick county which has now increased due to the enrolment of Ukrainian children; the reason that appeals for extra teachers have been refused based on the large class-sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28554/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for his question.
Utilisation of each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible is key to supporting Ukrainian children who are being enrolled in our schools. There is generally good capacity across the country albeit there may be capacity pressures to be managed in some areas.
The Department’s assessment of applications for additional accommodation require it to be satisfied that capacity across all other schools in a town or area is fully utilised. This will require good cooperation and collaboration between schools, supported as necessary through the local Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT). Capacity information on the school system has been made available by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit to support and assist the work of the REALT teams.
Schools should contact their local REALT team if they have insufficient capacity to facilitate Ukrainian children seeking enrolment. The relevant contact details are available at https://www.etbi.ie/regional-education-and-language-teams-for-ukraine/
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio. The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
My Department is also providing additional language teaching resources to support schools who have received pupils from Ukraine. This additional resource is provided to schools based on the number of Ukrainian children enrolled in the school. The application form is available on the Department's website.
267. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education the reason that schools have been refused supports, in view of the fact that many schools have a large enrolment of Ukrainian pupils who need extra supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working to support education provision for arriving children with immediate education needs.
Utilisation of each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible is key to supporting Ukrainian children who are being enrolled in our schools. There is generally good capacity across the country albeit there may be capacity pressures to be managed in some areas.
My Department’s assessment of applications for additional accommodation will require it to be satisfied that capacity across all other schools in a town or area is fully utilised. This will require good cooperation and collaboration between schools, supported as necessary through the local REALT team. Capacity information on the school system has been made available by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit to support and assist the work of the REALT teams.
Schools should contact their local REALT team if they have insufficient capacity to facilitate Ukrainian children seeking enrolment. The relevant contact details are available at https://www.etbi.ie/regional-education-and-language-teams-for-ukraine/
In addition to the supports via REALT there are several other supports available to schools, including
- Funding for additional teachers or teaching hours, for furniture and for equipment;
- Continued communication and Guidance Documents for schools to keep them updated;
- Language Supports;
- National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS); and
- Tusla Education Support Service (TESS).
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio. The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of my Department and its decision is final.
Supports are made available for children where English is an additional language. These supports are available generally in schools who have large numbers of children for whom English/Irish is not their first language but it has been of particular importance recently to support the large numbers of children enrolled in our schools coming from Ukraine.
My Department is providing additional language teaching resources to support schools who have received pupils from Ukraine. This additional resource is provided to schools based on the number of Ukrainian children enrolled in the school. The application form is available on the Department website.
Figures show that 724 primary and 194 post-primary schools have applied for and are now receiving EAL teaching resources.
In my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) lead on the provision of support and guidance to schools on how best to meet the wellbeing social and emotional needs of children and young people.
In addition, the teacher education support services provide supports for schools and prioritise requests from schools who are enrolling children coming from Ukraine. A central repository of information and an array of CPD resources for school leaders and teachers to support cultural and linguistic diversity is available on the Scoilnet.ie website. These supports to include those designed by NEPS to help children suffering from trauma and EAL, intercultural and relevant curriculum supports developed by the teacher education supports services including PDST, the NCCA and the ETB sector.
Teacher education support services endeavour to reach all schools who request in-school support visits, however where advisor capacity is limited, there may be occasions they cannot visit all schools. Supports in this instance are provided both by phone, email and advisors point schools to the array of supports available in the system.
When a child coming from Ukraine has enrolled in a school with complex special educational needs the school should make contact with their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who will assist schools in supporting Ukrainian children with special educational needs.
Where schools consider that children from Ukraine may require a special school or special class placement schools must make contact with the local SENO. The SENO will work with the child’s family and other agencies in ensuring that such specialist placements are appropriate to the needs of the child. Once this has been established the SENO will support the families in securing such placements in their local area.
The NCSE have received enquiries in this regard and are currently engaging with the relevant parties.
268. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the Retention of Records Bill 2019; her plans for the archives of the Ryan Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main purpose of the Retention of Records Bill 2019 was to ensure the preservation of the records of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Review Committee which may otherwise, in accordance with the relevant legislation, be required to be destroyed upon the dissolution of those bodies. The Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the last Dáil in January 2020.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 29 March last Government approved proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance which will stand as a National Memorial to honour all those who were resident in industrial schools, reformatories, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions.
As well as a museum and exhibition space and a place for reflection and remembrance, the National Centre will include a research centre and central repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives. It is envisaged that the future of the records of the redress bodies will be considered in that context.
269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and secondary schools that are in high-risk areas for radon exposure and the percentage of those that have been tested for radon, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is aware that last week the EPA published new radon maps for Ireland that update the radon risk assessment for the country and the national reference level has been reduced to 300 Bq/m3 measured over a three-month period which was previously 400 Bq/m3 measured over a three-month period. Between 1998 and 2002, on behalf of the Department of Education, all schools in the free education system were invited to be tested for radon. 38,531 ground floor classrooms and other rooms were tested for radon in this survey. Schools with radon levels above 200 Bq/m3 were successfully remediated.
The Department will now assess the impact of the new risk assessment and then determine the appropriate next steps.
In the interim, if a school is located in a high risk radon area they may request funding for radon detectors under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme. To do this they must first refer to the Health and Safety Authority website for a list of approved radon detector suppliers, they must then get three quotes for the number of radon detectors required to test all occupied rooms on the ground floor of the building with the exception of toilets and storerooms. The quotes should then be emailed to emergency_works@education.gov.ie for processing.
270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department complies with the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines in relation to the management of radon risk. My Department operates 5 offices in areas identified as high-risk for radon. Testing has been carried out on 3 of these offices to date.
271. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of the provision of school buses each year to students in primary and secondary school; if her Department has carried out a costing on the provision of free transport to school children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28588/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The costs from 2011 – 2020 for transporting children on a daily basis to primary and post primary schools including children with special educational needs throughout the country is as follows;
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
€171,482,638 |
€168,463,923 |
€170,749,769 |
€172,080,676 |
€172,961,930 |
€182,187,931 |
€188,534,596 |
€200,275,020 |
€219,200,274 |
€224,780,076 |
The average cost of providing transport for a child to a primary or post-primary school is estimated at €1,000 per annum. The average cost to provide transport for a child who requires Special Educational Needs transport is estimated at €9,000 per annum.
In 2021, receipts from school transport charges amounted to approximately €12m (net of refunds issued arising from Covid related school closures). If school transport fees were to be abolished and eligibility criteria remained the same, the cost of providing free transport to each child availing of school transport would be approximately an additional cost of €12m on the total cost of transport for the year. This figure is based on current patterns of school transport uptake and could vary depending on eligibility and demand.
School Transport is a demand led scheme and services are planned annually based on the number of eligible pupils who apply and pay on time. The closing date for receipt of payment for school transport for the 2022/23 school year is 29th July 2022. The final number of children to be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year will not be known until after this date.
272. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education if she will list all contracts that an architectural firm (details supplied) has been awarded by her Department; the amounts of these contracts; the dates that these were awarded; the project definitions and locations; and their current status in tabular form. [28625/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Architectural firm referred to by the Deputy is currently involved on one project for my Department. Please see below requested information in tabular form.
|
NUMBER OF PROJECTS |
SCHOOL NAME |
DATE CONSULTANT APPOINTED |
PROJECT BRIEF |
CONTRACT AMOUNT |
PROJECT STAGE |
|
One |
Gaelcholaiste Mhuire RN 19926M Dominick St Parnell Sq Dublin 1 |
March 2018 |
New build to provide a 16 classroom primary school on a site at Dominick Street |
Commercially Sensitive |
Stage 2(b) |
273. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all architects and architectural firms that have been awarded school building projects since 1 January 2020; the number of projects awarded to each architect; the value of each contract; their locations and their current status in tabular form. [28629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails in respect of "architects and architectural firms that have been awarded school building projects since 1 January 2020" is not readily available. Information will be forwarded separately to the Deputy when the relevant information is collated and finalised.
274. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and secondary schools that have undertaken an energy retrofit as part of the national energy efficient retrofit pathfinder scheme since it commenced in 2017; the number of schools that will take part in the scheme in 2022, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28636/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the level of funding allocated for the national energy efficient retrofit pathfinder scheme for primary and secondary schools under the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28637/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.
My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects.
Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents have been achieving A3 Building Energy Ratings since 2009 with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher performance than required by the current Building Regulations, along with 10% of primary energy provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.
All new technologies and approaches are tested to ensure compatibility with school design and operational requirements. Successful and repeatable results are then incorporated into all new school designs and refurbishments. The Departments policy is supported by a strong research programme with fifty three research projects at various stages including the energy website www.energyineducation.ie. which is a joint partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
In the interest of sustainability, it is critical that renewable applications are properly suited to the schools needs so as to reduce energy costs and carbon and not just applied for the sake of having renewables. It is also critical that we minimise the demand for energy before we invest in renewable energy applications. This has been assisted in previous years with the wall and attic insulation programme and the water conservation programme.
My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications established a jointly funded pathfinder programme with the SEAI, testing and demonstrating energy efficiency and decarbonisation retrofit approaches. This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the educational environment on an evidence based approach.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector.
The longer-term outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland. The deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is due to be rolled out as included in the National Development Plan.
The pathfinder programme has retrofitted 41 schools across Ireland to date with work on an additional 9 schools added in 2021 underway. 2022 sees six additional schools undergoing deep retrofit to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating systems at a total budget cost of €28M. Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.
The Department recognises that transition to full decarbonisation raises the bar even higher in terms of requirements with feedback from our pathfinder projects as noted above indicating a greater depth of challenges at a significantly enhanced cost for primary and post primary schools.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 Annex of Actions published this year actions the Department to confirm its decarbonisation pathway trajectory to meet 2030 and 2050 targets for the schools sector by end of 2022.
Work is ongoing on decarbonisation options for new schools with a focus on the standard of required design criteria and specification to achieve a net zero energy school building and establishing the trajectory for the integration of suitable solutions on a phased basis in a risk controlled manner providing a credible cost effective transition to zero carbon school buildings while ensuring no delays to school accommodation delivery.
276. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the details of the electrical installations replacement scheme that is available for schools; the number of schools, both primary and secondary that have availed of support from her Department for electrical installations replacement, by county; and the number of schools that have received solar photovoltaic panels as part of this works, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific information requested by the deputy is not readily available; however, in this sphere my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Department's Schools technical guidance documents must achieve an A3 Building Energy Rating A3 and have typically up to 20% higher performance than required by the current Building Regulations, along with 10% of primary energy provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.
All new technologies and approaches are tested to ensure compatibility with school design and operational requirements. Successful and repeatable results are then incorporated into all new school designs and refurbishments.
My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects. The Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with fifty three research projects at various stages including its joint SEAI partnership energy website project www.energyineducation.ie.
Solar PV is also funded for schools that are having their electrical installations replaced.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will also build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050. My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are involved in an energy efficient retrofit pathfinder scheme for schools since 2017.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector.
The longer-term outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland which will include solar PV. The deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is due to be rolled out as included in the National Development Plan.
277. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of schools, both primary and secondary by county, that have solar photovoltaic panels already installed in relation to numbers of potential primary and secondary schools within each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific information requested by the deputy is not readily available; however, in this sphere my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Department's Schools technical guidance documents must achieve an A3 Building Energy Rating A3 and have typically up to 20% higher performance than required by the current Building Regulations, along with 10% of primary energy provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.
All new technologies and approaches are tested to ensure compatibility with school design and operational requirements. Successful and repeatable results are then incorporated into all new school designs and refurbishments.
My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects. The Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with fifty three research projects at various stages including its joint SEAI partnership energy website project www.energyineducation.ie.
Solar PV is also funded for schools that are having their electrical installations replaced.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will also build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050. My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are involved in an energy efficient retrofit pathfinder scheme for schools since 2017.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector.
The longer-term outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland which will include solar PV. The deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is due to be rolled out as included in the National Development Plan.
278. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if an application by a school (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nature of the application referred to by the deputy is not clear. If the deputy can provide more detail relating to the application, my Department will endeavour to provide the relevant information in due course.
279. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will publish the schematics and plans for a project (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she is in receipt of a timeline for construction of a project (details supplied). [28717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the preferred tenderer on the 18th May 2022 commencing the school building contract for the school referred to by the Deputy.
The construction programme underpinning the contracts will be provided by the Contractor shortly and my Department will advise the schools as soon as possible in this regard.
The plans for the project were shared with the school prior to submission of the planning application and may also be viewed on the Council’s website – www.corkcoco.ie .
281. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she is in receipt of a timeline for construction of a project (details supplied). [28718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Letters of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the preferred tenderer on the 1st June 2022 commencing the school building contract for the school projects referred to by the Deputy.
The construction programme underpinning the contracts will be provided by the Contractor shortly and my Department will advise the schools as soon as possible in this regard.
282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for an extra prefab by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question. My Department has made contact with the school authorities and once a completed application is received, my officials will process this and issue a decision directly to the school authority.
The purpose of my Department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
283. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if her Department will sanction an additional teacher for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been successful, pending confirmation of enrolment on 30th September. The school has been notified of this decision.
284. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the number of full school-based summer programmes in 2022 for special schools and classes in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28796/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2022 the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
Building on the 2021 programme, all primary and post primary schools can offer a summer programme and in line with last year’s funding, there is up to €40 million available to provide for this year’s programme.
A key objective of this year’s scheme is to increase the number of schools offering the summer programme to their students. Steps have been taken to afford schools as much flexibility as possible, and to ease administrative requirements.
An online registration portal is currently open for schools to register their participation in this year’s programme with a closing date June 9th. Numbers of those who have registered for the Summer Programme are not yet available.
