Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
134. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the criteria for admission to the summer provision programme; the way that the criteria have changed over the expansion of the scheme; the number accommodated across the different strands to provide for different needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Programme is an important scheme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. It provides these students with an opportunity to maintain their connection with education and helps to ensure they continue their journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.
I can confirm that funding has been approved under Budget ’23 to continue the expanded summer programme for 2023. This early announcement gives schools time and opportunity to plan for next year.
The scheme has changed over the last number of years. Until 2020, July Provision as it was then known, provided funding to extend the school year for special schools and schools with special classes. Eligibility was limited to children with a severe and profound general learning disability or children with autism. If schools could not offer a programme, home based provision was available.
A significantly expanded Summer Programme was developed in 2020, as a direct response to COVID. It allowed a wide range of children with special needs to benefit from the programme, including those with severe and profound and moderate needs, autism, Down syndrome, and those with severe visual or hearing impairment. It included a number of strands which included in-school, or home-based supports by teachers and special needs assistants to help prevent regression among children with special educational needs impacted by school closures. Also, all DEIS schools could provide summer camps, including a numeracy and literacy programme for primary pupils and for the first time, a programme in DEIS post-primary schools.
In 2021 the programme was expanded further and for the first time all recognised primary and post-primary schools could offer a programme. The Inclusion Programme introduced this year was also available to pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. The home-based programme continued to be available to eligible pupils who could not avail of a school-based programme.
The 2022 Summer Programme built on the success of the 2021 programme and offered the same range of programmes, with the same eligibility criteria. The numbers have grown over these years with 2022 seeing more schools and students participating than ever before. Over 41,000 students benefitted from this year's programme with over 1,000 schools participating. This represents an increase of 300% in student participation numbers compared to 2019 when there was 13,000 students benefiting. This year’s programme has also helped over 1,300 Ukrainian children to integrate into their new learning environments through the inclusion programme.
A review of the programme is under way so that for 2023, to build further on the what the programme has achieved so far to have the best possible programme available. In particular, it is a priority of next year’s programme that children with complex special educational needs have access to a school-based programme.
The Department has already started intensively, through the review process, to engage with the management bodies, schools, parents with a view to encouraging schools and supporting them to participate in next year’s programme. The details of the 2023 Summer Programme are intended to be published by the end of January 2023.
Participation figures from the years 2019 to 2022 are attached.
