Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cheann Comhairle as a chuidiú agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Choiste Gnó fosta fá choinne an t-am a ofráil inniu. Táim fíorbhuíoch as sin toisc go raibh mé ábalta Dún na nGall a fhágáil chun dul go dtí Teach Laighean ar maidin agus beidh mé ábalta dul a luí i nDún na nGall anocht fosta.

A Cheann Comhairle, today's session will focus on the provision of a summer programme and the steps I intend to take to support those students with significant special educational needs and those who are at greatest risk of experiencing educational disadvantage. Last week, when I was in the House, I was conscious that the Business Committee had also scheduled this full session on the issue of a summer programme. I am happy to be here today, in advance of bringing proposals to Cabinet, to hear further from Deputies on the topics concerned. On foot of the constructive engagement we have had in this House in recent weeks, I know Members will bring constructive suggestions and proposals to the House today. I have asked my officials to ensure that we will look at these proposals and will see how we can facilitate them. In introducing a summer programme designed to support children, especially those at risk of regression in their education because of the steps required to combat Covid-19, I will have the support of this House. It is worth reiterating that a lot has happened across the education and skills sector during the 13 weeks since schools, colleges, universities and other settings closed on 12 March. Between now and the end of August, the Government intends to do a lot more, including the provision of targeted supports through a summer programme.

I said last Thursday in this House that the pace at which issues have been identified and addressed over the past three months is a credit to those who work in the sector, the students and their parents. Specifically in regard to the summer programme, that intensity of work has continued over the past few days. I stated that I would return to Cabinet with more detailed proposals this coming Friday, in conjunction with more detail on the wider school re-opening planned for the end of August. I expect to be able to make further announcements at that stage.

Normally each summer the July provision operates to benefit more than 10,000 children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and those with autism. I believe that it is essential that a summer education programme runs this year for those most in need. It will help children to reconnect with learning and assist their return to school in the autumn. An education programme will also help to reduce regression for those at greatest risk of this happening.

In developing proposals for a summer education programme to support children with significant special educational needs, my thinking has been informed by a number of core principles. The programme should contribute to the overall well-being of the child and the family. Supports must address regression and its impact on reintegration and transitioning to planned educational settings for next year.

A school-based programme and a home-based programme need to be provided. Supports should be targeted at those students with the greatest needs. Where possible, some degree of flexibility on the operation of the scheme, in terms of timing and duration, should be permitted while recognising the need for equity of summer provision as far as possible for those to whom it is provided. Those children who would normally qualify for the July provision programme should be included. Where possible, some expanded provision to include other children with significant special educational needs should be included, with a focus on those at greatest risk of regression. The programme must be of a high standard and as far as possible it should complement the programme of support being developed by the HSE. There is a need, as far as possible, to integrate the summer programme with a more general return to school in the autumn. The programme has to be operated in a way that is informed by public health advice, is workable and is offered in a way that ensures parents want their children to participate.

Normally in summer, school completion projects and DEIS literacy and numeracy summer camps are run in DEIS schools. From speaking to principals and teachers, I know some children at risk of educational disadvantage have found the remote learning experience challenging. However, SNAs, teachers and principals have stayed connected with their students and I acknowledge their role in this regard. We all share a genuine concern that children and young people who may have disengaged as a result of this experience may struggle on return to school. The learning loss that typically occurs for the students during the school summer holidays is likely to be significant. In the current situation, by September 2020 these students will have missed out on formal education since March. A summer programme aimed at those most at risk of educational disadvantage in order to rebuild that connection between student and school is vital.

I want a summer education programme to run, recognising that students with special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage need to be prioritised. I assure parents that in the coming days I will be in a position to give them a green light for their children to participate in a summer programme. The programme will be a stepping stone to help those who most need support. It will help children to renew relationships, retain connections with school and learning and help to support ongoing social development and well-being. These programmes can only run with the support of schools, principals, teachers, SNAs and other staff. I know the efforts those working in the education sector have made and the lengths they have gone to in order to support their students. I emphasise that any programme will be voluntary in nature and it will be a matter of individual choice as to whether schools or teachers feel they can participate. I ask those schools, teachers and SNAs who feel they can do something over the summer to help in this endeavour and I ask that they would choose to do this. I cannot pretend that this is a small request given the challenges we have all faced since the pandemic first arrived, but I know that for those who can their contribution to the lives of the most vulnerable children will be truly appreciated and hugely rewarding.

I also know that public health guidance to schools and the provision of appropriate supports will be important elements in ensuring that any summer programme can take place . I will return to the Cabinet on Friday to set out the shape of this year's summer programme. I know the positive impact a programme will have and I want to see it happen but we must do so in a safe way for all concerned.

Before I conclude I want to make some broader references. I can confirm that since I was last in the House, when I provided an update on how the work on calculated grades for this year's leaving certificate was progressing, the online portal through which schools upload school level marks opened. This happened on Monday, as planned. I was delighted, as I am sure was everyone else in the House, to see us enter phase 2 of the roadmap to the reopening of society. I want to see the maximum return to school possible in late August and September. I will also be updating the Cabinet on Friday on the planning in this regard. The Government and I are committed to the delivery of a summer programme and once I have brought proposals to the Cabinet on Friday I will be in a position to announce the details concerned.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle arís as an seans labhairt inniu. Táim cinnte dóchasach go mbeidh díospóireacht iontach dearfa againn maidir leis an gcéad bhealach eile fá choinne na dtuismitheoirí agus na bpáistí uilig leis na riachtanais speisialta, maidir leis na dúshláin atá le baint amach thar na míonna atá imithe thart, maidir leis an mbearna atá i gceist i gcúrsaí oideachais agus maidir leis an nasc idir an scoil agus an baile. Táim cinnte go mbeidh clár an tsamhraidh iontach cuiditheach agus tábhachtach do na tuismitheoirí agus na mic léinn agus an leanúnachais atá de dhíth ag achan am san oideachas, an bealach agus an t-aistear atá i gceist do dhaoine óga i dtreo an tsaoil.

Gabhaim buíochas le mo chuid oifigigh arís. Bhí siad ag obair go dian dícheallach thar na míosa seo caite ar chúrsaí a bhaineann leis an ardteistiméaracht agus ar chúrsaí eile a bhaineann leis an athrú a tharla de thoradh an méid a tharla leis an phaindéim Covid-19. Gabhaim aitheantas agus buíochas leis mo chuid oifigigh a bhí ag obair go dian agus ag déanamh obair difriúil a bhain leis na daoine uilig a raibh ag obair sa bhaile, ag obair sa Roinn agus ag obair ar son na daoine óga, cúrsaí oideachais agus an rannóg oideachais. Gabhaim buíochas fosta as an cheannaireacht a léirigh na daoine uilig atá freagrach as na páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla sa chóras oideachas, ina measc na daoine atá freagrach as na príomhoidí agus na daltaí uilig san áireamh, mar shampla sna ceardchumainn. Gabhaim buíochas leis na bainisteoirí fosta as an cheannaireacht a léirigh siad. Bhí siad iontach cuidiúil. Bhí comhráite iontach dearfacha thar na míosa seo caite agus tá dúshlán mór romhainn chun na scoileanna a oscailt i mí Lúnasa. Táim iontach dearfach go mbeimid ag déanamh fíor-iarracht i rith an tsamhraidh ar son na daoine óga sna bunscoileanna, sna réamhscoileanna, sna meánscoileanna agus sna hollscoileanna. Gabhaim buíochas do na Teachtaí uilig.

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