Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2025
97. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a decision will be made on an appeal for a child (details supplied) for the home-based summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36384/25]
View answerThe Summer Programme is an educational programme which is run during the summer months. Sometimes referred to as July Provision, the Summer Programme was established to support the educational provision for children with severe/profound general learning disability and children with Autism by extending the school year for four weeks annually, typically into the month of July.
As a direct response to Covid-19, the Summer Programme has been significantly expanded to include more children with complex special educational needs.
Where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, the Home-based Programme continues to be available for children with complex special education needs. However, due to the strong preference for students to take part in school-based programmes, the home-based programme is not available where a school-based programme is being provided.
In the case of the child concerned, although the school registered the child for the home-based summer programme, they had confirmed that there was a place available on their school-based programme. The parent subsequently received an email confirming the child was not eligible for a place on the home-based programme.
However, as it is recognised that there might be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided instead of a school-based programme, the parent was invited to contact the Summer Programme team and to appeal the decision. To strengthen the appeal, the parent was requested to forward a letter of support from the school stating that the home-based programme is more suitable for child.
It is my understanding in this case that additional information has been provided by the school and, accordingly, a place on the home-based programme has been approved for the child.
