Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if staff from the early years sector are eligible to work on the summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49872/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Deputy Colm Burke is asking this question on behalf of Deputy Flanagan.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Are staff from the early years sector eligible to work on the summer programme and will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The summer programme has been described by, for example, the Department inspectorate as life-changing, given how important it is for children with additional needs. Indeed, the report of the Department’s chief inspector referred to post-Covid regression and how that is likely to persist for a period, and we need to take that into account when we talk about the importance of the summer inclusion programme.

This year, the Minister and I announced the summer programme for pupils and were in a position to secure an additional €20 million in the budget, which will mean schools will have more time to plan the summer programme for next year. Rather than announcing an additional €20 million in May, when the summer provision is due to start, they will now have time to do that in advance. We have built on the first inclusion summer programme, which I introduced in 2021, and now all primary and post-primary schools, as well as special schools, are able to offer at least one summer programme this year and next year. While we have not yet finalised figures, we think more than 1,000 schools ran a programme this year and it is expected more than 45,000 pupils will have participated in both the school-based and the home-based programmes this year, which amounts to an increase of more than 15% on the 2021 figures.

The Deputy asked specifically about the early years sector. Over the past two years, we have endeavoured to do everything we can to ensure all schools will participate in the summer programme, such as by allowing schools some flexibility in regard to staff who are not currently employed in their school, including those in the early years sector.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank both the Minister and the Minister of State for making funding available at such an early date. It will allow for long-term planning and help to ensure the full programme for the summer will be planned out with people involved in it.

The issue with early years sector employees, however, is that they are paid for 38 weeks of the year and must sign on during the summer. It is important that we allow them to participate in this programme and that they are included. They have a huge contribution to make. It is also about widening the base of the people available with regard to providing the support in the schools and to the children. The summer programme is also very welcome, not only for children but also for parents. There is a benefit for both. It is, however, the early years sector about which I am very concerned.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I completely agree with the Deputy that these workers have an awful lot to offer. That is why we have allowed that flexibility for schools to hire staff from the early years sector. This year, for example, provision was made to include newly qualified teachers, undergraduate student teachers and final year students as well as those from the early years sector. We want to expand the potential of the workforce. I am working with the Ministers, Deputies Harris and O’Gorman, to make sure that is done.

For the Deputy's interest, 44 schools in County Cork ran 66 programmes for 1,449 children. They would have benefited from the summer programme this year. We also currently have the programme under review, which is really important. Together with consultation with the special education consultative forum, we are working very closely with stakeholders to make sure we can encourage all schools to participate in this programme.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I presume there will be engagement with people who are working in the early years school sector in order that they will be made aware that they can become more involved in it. The other issue is whether the Minister of State's Department is setting targets for trying to increase the number of schools that are participating, while also increasing the number of young people, students and children who will benefit from it.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. One of the primary issues with which I have been tasked is to try to encourage and make it easier for schools to participate in the summer provision. One of the reasons we secured €20 million in the budget is so that €40 million is already set aside for next year. Staff will, therefore, have time to plan in each individual school, particularly special schools in which children have more complex needs. We have also undertaken other measures to improve the situation and the attractiveness of providing a summer programme to schools. There is flexibility around when they can participate or when they can host the summer programme. We have tried to ease the administrative burden. We have appointed an overseer role and introduced preparation hours, thereby allowing principals to delegate functions to other members of staff. We have also increased capitation funding, which is of huge assistance to the schools.