Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach inniu. I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking the time to be here. A few years ago, the schools summer programme, commonly known as July provision, was quite limited in its scope. At the time, it was offered to children with particular special needs. It did not include many children for whom the summer holidays were a time of regression and difficulty. The much-welcomed expansion of the programme in 2021, post the Covid pandemic, has been remarkable, with a much wider cohort of children involved and a more holistic experience for pupils to help them keep the connection with schools and their peers. This year, the programme also includes a post-primary scheme, a home-based programme and a pilot special school programme designed to ensure a focus on supporting special schools, which is very welcome.

This year again, all primary schools can offer a summer programme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage. The summer programme is intended to be an enjoyable experience for students and the staff. A range of activities will be available which will reflect this year's theme of building confidence and connections and includes opportunities for student-centred play-based engagement. The programme is designed and developed to ensure supports are targeted to better assist children and young people to have access to a school-based programme.It is fantastic to see the number of children and young people participating in the summer provision as well as the number of schools offering it, which has increased significantly since the programme was introduced in 2021. It is a credit to the hard work of the staff, who help to strengthen the sense of connection and belonging the children feel in the school community. Where a school is not running a summer programme or a place on a school-based or alternative programme is unavailable, children and young people with complex special needs can avail of a home-based alternative, which is an excellent development.

The summer programme has clearly gone from strength to strength. Last year's programme benefited more than 50,000 students and saw a 50% increase in the number of special schools participating. A 50% increase is quite remarkable. It would appear the potential for the scheme is even greater than anticipated. In light of that, I commend the Minister, Deputy Foley, on first introducing this excellent scheme in 2021. However, it would appear now that, because of the success of the programme, more funding is needed so that all these children and families who need it can avail of it. I am hoping the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, might outline some positive developments in that regard in her response to me this afternoon.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue. As I said earlier, I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. The Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, is also in that Department and I am replying on her behalf too.

Meeting the needs of children with complex special educational needs and children at most risk of educational disadvantage is a priority for Government. I want to start by saying there has been significant progress made in the summer programme over the past few years. The full funding of €40 million, as in previous years, is available and all funding is being utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable.

As the Senator said, numbers certainly have grown substantially since 2019. In 2023, approximately 1,400 schools and more than 50,000 children took part in the summer programme. This is compared to 300 schools and 13,000 children who took part in 2019. In 2024, the total number of schools running a summer programme is anticipated to be even higher than last year, showing that the measures that have been introduced are an effective incentivisation for schools. I pay tribute to the staff and to the SNAs who make this possible. We all know the value and the importance of routine for these young people who wish to participate in it.

On the Senator's specific issue, the answer he requires lies in the flexible grant funding. To reflect the unique circumstances that have arisen in special schools during the summer months, additional grant funding of €2,000 was provided for each week that a special school provided a school-based programme. Other enhanced measures are in place to encourage schools' participation. These include: a centralised application process to reduce the administration burden on schools; earlier payment to schools and staffs; and additional capitation that is significantly more favourable compared to the normal capitation during the school year, which is approximately €5 per week; the rate is cognisant of all costs associated with running a summer programme.

All of the measures for the 2024 summer programme, including the capitation, have been designed to maximise the number of schools and children taking part in the school-based programme. Special schools receive a greater rate of capitation to reflect the unique circumstances of running the programme in those settings. The home-based summer programme will again be made available for students with complex special educational needs where a place on a school-based programme is not available to them. Under this strand, grant funding is made available so that parents and legal guardians can engage the services of a teacher or SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child's home. Parents of eligible children can arrange this programme over the school summer holidays to best suit their needs. That is the flexibility that has clearly been demonstrated from the Department.

As group-based programmes provide a more holistic experience for children which help to retain the important connection with peers, the Department is also engaging with other groups who are interested in running an educational programme to ensure the widest possible participation. The aims of the summer programme are to support children to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and to increase their motivation through peer engagement and socialisation.It is also designed to promote well-being and, for those who are at key transition stages, to help ensure they continue on their educational journey. It is intended that the range of programmes on offer will continue building on the success of expanded programmes that ran previously and will incorporate feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2024.

As the Senator outlined, flexibility and agility are required on the part of the Department, teachers and SNAs. Most importantly, however, as the Senator also said, it is about putting the children at the centre of this programme and ensuring that they have continuity of support. This is the case for the Department and all of us as public representatives.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. She highlighted the work of the staff and the SNAs in this area. Without them, we would not have a summer programme. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude for their work in this regard. As the Minister of State outlined, the scheme has been a great success. The numbers participating are increasing year on year. I welcome that €40 million has been allocated for the programme this year. It would appear, however, that because the numbers participating are increasing, more funding will be required to ensure that no children or no parents lose out in the context of summer provision. Many of them depend very much on it.

I respectfully request that the Minister review the situation, and, as the Minister of State indicated, keep the entire programme under review. It is vital that this is done. The financial contribution from the Department should also form part of any review.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator. As he said, this programme needs to be kept under constant review. If we do so, it will ensure that no child will be left behind, regardless of the uptake by schools. It is fantastic to see €2,000 per child being made available through grants and that this funding can be used to support children in the home or in education, depending on the needs of the family and the child concerned, in conjunction with SNAs.

The Senator would have raised the point previously as well about SNAs being able to stay on the payroll during the summer. Not having them falling off it and going onto social welfare is important. If they want to make themselves available for work, now, they can do so. The flexible weeks and flexible grant funding demonstrate the Department of Education's willingness to ensure that parents are supported. Most importantly, it also demonstrates that children are supported to meet their needs in a group setting, in the home or in the community. Equally, if schools are not available, it is important that there is a wider aspect to this programme. The Senators mentioned the Little Wonders facility in his area. It is important that such facilities are able to avail of the grant as well.