Details 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 Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. To encourage participation, a range of supports and measures have been introduced. For special schools, these include a bespoke pilot programme, the appointment of a national coordinator, a shorter school day and additional grant funding. For all schools, supports include key leadership roles, higher personal rates of pay for staff, enhanced capitation funding, a transport grant and earlier processing of staff payments.
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 use of the Summer Programme budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. Consequently, my department saw a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in primary schools.
Schools have also been given the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their schools. A staff portal is available on www.EducationPosts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on the programme in Special Schools. Student teachers and students in social care, various therapies, nursing and others, including early learning and childcare practitioners, are also able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
All of the supports and incentives introduced in recent years have been designed to increase participation by enabling schools to offer a Summer Programme. These measures are aimed at maximising the number of children who can access a school-based programme, with a particular focus on ensuring that children with the most complex needs receive targeted support.
In relation to the deputy’s question regarding the number of Summer Programmes that have been affected or cancelled by a lack of SNAs, this would be an unknown as it is schools who are responsible for recruiting staff for their programmes.
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.
