Willie O'Dea
Ceist:343. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will consider making the summer programme compulsory in all special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25467/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 June 2024
Ceisteanna (343)
Freagraí scríofa
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. 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. 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.
The Summer Programme has never been compulsory in any school. Instead, the Department is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. To this end, the Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2024 programme.
A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the number of schools participating in the Summer Programme, funding was targeted and teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. As a result, the Department has seen a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in Special Schools, and we expect this to increase even further for 2024.
A new role of Student Teacher Placement in Special Schools has been introduced this year to encourage student teachers to participate in the summer programme. Paid placements can run from the 3rd week in May to the end of the Programme, greatly benefitting schools during this busy period. Special Schools can recruit up to two graduate teachers and final year PME student teachers, bolstering the capacity of schools to deliver the programme.
Schools have also been given the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A staff portal is now available on www.educationposts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme in a Special School. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Care, Nursing and others, including Early Learning and Care Practitioners, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
A range of other supports and measures have been introduced since last year, particularly to facilitate the running of the programme in special schools, such as a dedicated National Coordinator, key leadership roles for staff, a reduction of the length of the school day and additional grant funding in special schools and faster payment for staff. These measures are aimed at maximising the number of children who can participate in a school-based programme with a specific focus on ensuring children with the most complex needs receive the targeted support.
More than 1,700 individual expressions of interest have been received from schools seeking to run this year’s Summer Programme – representing the highest-ever uptake of the Summer Programme. Over 1,400 schools participated in the programme in 2023.
Of the schools registered for the 2024 Summer Programme to date, there are:
• 1,475 primary schools – up 19 per cent on 2023
• 205 post-primary schools – up 28 per cent on 2023
• 72 special schools – up 22 per cent on 2023 and 85 per cent on 2022.
It is further anticipated that the increase in the number of children taking part in these schools will be even higher. Final counts will not be known until all Summer Programmes payment claims have been processed.
The increase in registrations continues the positive upward trend in participation seen in the summer programmes over the last number of years. Over 50,000 children took part in the summer programme last year, compared to 13,000 in 2019.
Where a 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.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 090 648 4292 to address any specific queries regarding this year’s Summer Programme. Queries concerning the school-based scheme can be directed to the schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Queries concerning the Home-based scheme can be directed to the homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie .