Mr. John Kearney:

Yes. In the Department's close consultation with parents in particular regarding the necessity and importance of the July provision, especially for parents of children in special schools, Covid heightened the awareness of all stakeholders regarding this. The July provision is also important for Ukrainian students and other students with emerging needs. The importance of the stability and continuity of a regulated and consistent provision has highlighted it. Sometimes when you look at policy perspectives, they can look jaded or nuanced in retrospect. Many of those policy advices have stood the test of time in terms of 2015 when this document would have been issued and developed by the NCSE. Many of them have been implemented and progressed. Further enhancements can certainly be taken on board.

The Deputy has astutely picked up on matters relating to the July summer provision programme. I know from engaging with the Department that it is progressing that initiative.