Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
150. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that schools such as a school (details supplied) in north Dublin have received late notice regarding the future of the Summer Programme; whether she will ensure that schools receive Departmental communications earlier in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40715/26]
View answerDetails of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated to all schools on the 6th May 2026.
All schools have been offered the opportunity to run a school-based programme for children with the most complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage. Where a school does not intend to run a school-based programme or there is no place on the programme for an eligible child, schools were invited to make an application for the home-based programme.
The online application portals for both the School-based and the Home-based Summer Programmes were open in parallel from the 6th May 2026 to the 15th May 2026.
As communicated to all schools at the outset, it is intended that schools will be engaged with on an individual basis in the week commencing the 25th May. During that period, schools will receive a follow-up email confirming the number of pupils approved to participate in this year’s programme, along with their school’s assigned staffing allocation. This approach ensures that each school receives clear, tailored information to assist with effective planning. As post primary schools are approaching the end of term, these schools will be prioritised and engaged with in the first instance.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, Department officials have confirmed that their application to run the school-based Programme was received on the 7th May 2026 and they will be contacted in due course.
