Ms Sarah Murphy:

That is the problem. It is State funded. A sum of €40 million was allocated to the summer provision programme last year but only 410 children received the full four weeks of school provision out of €40 million, which is what is required for children who have complex needs. Complex needs can mean autism, intellectual disability, including a moderate intellectual disability with medical needs, for example epilepsy or other comorbid mental health issues. It also includes other syndromes like Down's syndrome, which my son has. He has a combination of all of those. Autism and disability are wide spectrums and the children who have missed the summer programme are those complex needs children. The summer programme was set up for these children. Only 410 children were provided with the full four weeks which was recommended by that High Court judgment nearly 20 years ago now. Here we are. Loads of money is being thrown at it; t is a State funded system but it is not State controlled. Every school can decide and they use the excuse that they did not find out until May or June. The Department does need to get the guidelines out a bit quicker every year, but the programme has been in place for nearly 20 years. It is not a surprise and the special schools in particular do not offer the programme. Some 80% of children in special schools had no access to the programme in 2021.