Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2026
106. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to fully fund and resource the July provision; if her attention has been drawn to shortfalls in human resources to deliver the provision; and her plans to address that matter. [46349/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the 2026 Summer Programme were announced on 6th May.
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.
In addition to there being no change in the eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions of the Summer Programme from previous years, there has also been no reduction in funding for the Summer Programme in primary, post-primary or special schools in terms of staffing.
Instead, as communicated to all schools at the outset, it is intended that schools would be engaged with on an individual basis 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 support effective planning and that every child eligible for the Summer Programme is accommodated with the appropriate resources in line with the published programme terms.
