Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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939. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to the in-person supplementary programme for children with special educational needs in view of the fact that it might be difficult during the Covid-19 situation to have this supplied in homes; the alternative arrangements that can be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18421/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary programme is intended to supplement the teaching and learning provided by the student’s school and alleviate the impact of this period of school closure through the provision of one to one in-person teaching or care support to be delivered in homes.

The programme provided 20 hours of support for pupils that had returned to school on March 1^stand 30 hours for all other pupils.

The Department’s approach is intended to be flexible so as to maximise the number of students participating.

The programme can be delivered outside of the normal school day (i.e. evenings and weekends), so that the student can continue to engage as fully as possible with the teaching and learning provided by their school.

Any unused hours can be delivered to families at any time before 30th April 2021, including during the Easter holidays.

The scheme is intended to deliver one to one support to eligible pupils to meet their individual needs.

Following representations to my Department by a number of schools, parents, management bodies and by the Ombudsman for Children the Department can confirm that the running of the supplementary programme in schools is an authorised activity.

It is therefore open to any Board of Management, if they so wish, to make their school premises available to facilitate the running of the supplementary programme.