Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. As I said, I was delighted to note the increase in funding. I agree with the Minister of State on the need to remove barriers to encourage schools to take part and also in regard to the need for children to maintain connectivity with their places of education. However, at this point we need to move from the opt-in, opt-out model of summer provision. This is a vital community service and no State body, be that a school or otherwise, should be able to opt out of supporting vulnerable children.This would have to be negotiated with boards of management and trade unions but the children who need this have to be a priority.

More work needs to be put into the home-based summer programme. For every child who needs that programme, their homes may not be the best places to deliver it. Overcrowding or anything like that has to be taken into consideration when that programme is being offered. We need to progress this programme and ensure that every child who needs this gets it.