Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if contingency plans are in place for the 2021 summer provision programme given the continued prevalence of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24415/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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A significantly expanded Summer Programme was provided in 2020 for children with the complex needs as a discrete response to Covid-19.

The programme provided either in-school, or home-based supports by teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) during the summer holidays to help to prevent regression among children with SEN.

The programme's aim was to support children to reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the 2020/21 school year with their peers.

Over 14,000 children participated in the special education summer programmes developed by the Department including 3,881 in the school based programme, 9,716 in the home based programme and 450 families in the HSE programme.

My Department is progressing work on proposals to run an expanded summer programme again this year with more schools involved. The scheme will be influenced by the current public health emergency.

These proposals are being developed based on engagement and consultation with the education partners.

A further announcement on this will be made shortly.