Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:273. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education when a grant (details supplied) will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24734/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 June 2024
Ceisteanna (273)
Freagraí scríofa
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21 March 2024. The Department of Education also recently announced that funding of €40m has been secured again to ensure that a comprehensive summer programme will be available in 2024. This builds on the successful summer programmes of the last three years. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most so that these children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme. Where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the Home-based programme is also available for pupils with complex special educational needs.
As in previous years, details of the Home-based Summer Programme are published much later than the School-based Summer Programme. In 2023, details of the Home-based programme were also issued in May 2023. This is to ensure that as many schools and as many children as possible have signed up for the school-based Summer Programme. The portal for the school-based summer programme closed on 17 May 2024.
Details of the Home-based programme, including full details on the eligibility criteria, were issued to schools directly on the 29 May 2024 and has been published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 090 648 4292 to address any specific queries regarding year’s Summer Programme. Queries concerning the school-based scheme can be directed to: schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Queries concerning the Home-based scheme can be directed to: homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie.