Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the summer programme in special schools. I have been contacted by families across Galway city and county who want to and need to avail of this programme but are not sure they will be able to. This is because only 28% of the schools operated the programme last summer, and that figure is not expected to change significantly this summer. A number of parents have advised me of this.

To provide some data and facts, of the 8,018 children who have been enrolled in special schools in 2021, just 1,641, or approximately 20%, had any access to the July provision, which is now named the summer programme. Just 5% of those children - 410 pupils - received the full allocation of four weeks. Just 410 pupils received the full four-week allocation of last year’s summer programme. Departmental data shows that just eight special schools in Ireland did the full allocation of four weeks, including two hospital schools. A further 31 special schools did between one and three weeks.

The Department states parents can avail of the home-based option if their school is not participating. While this is factually correct, the Department itself acknowledges that home-based programmes are considered the least effective way to deliver the scheme. Families advise that in addition to home tutors not being as effective, it is almost impossible to find a home tutor. Many families do not try because it merely creates further stress in their lives. These families are in extraordinarily difficult situations that those who do not have experience in cannot begin to understand. They should be the top priority for supports.

It is a relatively small cohort that is being spoken about here. Of the total school population of 1 million, only 8,108 are in special schools, with a further 8,500 in special classes. Whatever needs to done should be done to ensure these families have effective supports, whatever the cost. A country is judged on how those most vulnerable are treated. Clearly, we need to make massive improvements. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to come before the House next week, if possible.