Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the July provision, we are working on an enhanced programme for this year. We are obviously very concerned about the regression of children with special needs. Last year, some 24,000 children were eligible for the programme and about 14,000 actually partook. We hope this year to expand the programme even more, including the time allowed and also by expanding the categories of children with special needs who are eligible. All children in special classes in special schools are eligible to apply and children with SEN in mainstream classes as well.

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