Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that applied for the July provision in 2019 and to date in 2020 that were unable to source a tutor; the number of home tutor teachers and SNAs that volunteered to take part in 2019; the number that have volunteered to take part in 2020 in the programme and are available for home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10362/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In 2019, 10,563 children availed of July Provision with the delivery of the school and home based programmes involving approximately 5,000 Home Tutors, 640 school teachers and 1,454 SNAs.

573 eligible schools were invited to participate in the 2019 Programme. Participation in the scheme, by the school is voluntary and subject to the availability of suitably qualified personnel in July. It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available to it and taking into account the health and safety of the children, whether or not it will participate in the programme in any given year. Of the 573 eligible schools invited in 2019, 232 schools opted to participate in the Programme.

Where an eligible school did not participating in the school based programme, it was open to parents to apply for the home based July Provision Grant Scheme.

My Department does not hold information on the number of Parents that could not find tutors in 2019.

The application process for the 2020 summer education programme has not yet commenced.

My Department is planning to provide a summer education programme for children with significant special educational needs as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.

It is intended that this programme will be similar to the July Provision of previous years.

The Summer Education Programme will take place for children with significant special educational needs enrolled in special schools, special classes and mainstream classes.

The programme will be reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.

Planning is under way and an announcement will be made shortly.