Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of severe difficulties new protocols for the School Summer Programme is imposing on schools nationwide, particularly a Gaelscoil (details supplied). [45080/26]
View answerDetails of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated to all schools on the 6th May 2026. While it is acknowledged that details of the Summer Programme are typically announced earlier, the finalisation of arrangements for the 2026 programme was delayed pending confirmation that the Department of Education and Youth would receive the additional funding required to support all aspects of education.
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.
It is important to note that staffing allocations are made to schools based on the number of children they are catering for in accordance with the published terms and conditions of the programme.
The staffing allocation for special class groups in the Primary School Scheme is typically the same as the special class resource allocation which exists during the school year. Where this is not the case, the Department will engage directly with individual schools so that all of the children enrolled in special classes can partake. The scheme does not, however, provide for a greater number of special class groups that those operating during the school term.
The staffing allocation for pupils with special educational needs and/or pupils at risk of educational disadvantage enrolled in mainstream classes is more favourable than during the school term. For each group of 12 pupils participating, one teacher and one Special Needs Assistant (SNA) is allocated. This is compared to the pupil teacher ratio of one teacher for every 23 pupils during term-time.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, Department officials have confirmed that they have been actively engaging with the school regarding its Summer Programme allocation with a view to maximising the number of children participating, in line with the published terms of the programme.
