Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented global challenge for all of society, including our children. Learning has been challenging for many students since school buildings closed.

In response my Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

Summer Provision 2020 is a discrete response to Covid-19 and is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

Following the decision from Cabinet this week the home based summer programme is also open to children with down syndrome who are attending post primary school.

The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.

My Department has been flexible in its approach to the programme so as to maximise the number of children participating. In-school or home-based supports can now be delivered in July or August. Where Parents cannot secure the services of tutor they can engage an SNA to provide care support.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published information to assist Parents in sourcing the services or a Tutor or SNA for the 2020 Summer Provision The information is available on the NSCE website at

Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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378. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the summer provision 2020 programme will be expanded to include children with disabilities who will be entering primary and secondary school for the first time in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13827/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.

In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complexspecial educational needs.

The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:

1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism

2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties

3. Any child in special schoolor a special class in a Primary School

4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings

5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:

- Children with Down syndrome

- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing

- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment

- Children who have a moderate general learning disability

- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties

Following the decision from Cabinet this week the home based summer programme is also open to children with down syndrome who are attending post primary school.

A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.

If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website

In relation to support for preschool children the Department of Children and Youth Affairs launched a dedicated campaign and website to support transition called “Lets Get Ready” which has received a positive response so far.

This resource has been prepared jointly with my Department. It is universal in scope, and is aimed at children returning to preschool as well as children returning to or transitioning to school.

Information on the site is at a level for all to understand and include a section called ‘Ready for Everyone’ to specifically support transitions for children with special / additional needs.

The website, which is being updated and reviewed by the DCYA based on the feedback from various sources, is available at