Written answers

Wednesday, 30 June 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children who availed of July provision in each of the years 2018 to 2020, by county in tabular form. [35325/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

This is an important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

The following categories of students are considered as students with complex needs for the 2021

Summer programme:

- All students in special schools and special classes in primary and post primary schools, including early intervention classes.

- Students in mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support (Student Support Plus/for a few). This includes students with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were identified for the supplementary programme earlier this year.

Children in the above categories entering primary school in September 2021 are also eligible for the programme.

A home-based summer programme is available for children with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school-based programme.

Under the home-based programme grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a Teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home.

July Provision/Summer Provision Statistics 2018-2020

2018 2019 2020
Total no. of children

(Home Based & School Based)
10228 10563 13608

*For 2020 the scheme became Summer Provision and was extended to a wider number of categories for eligibility as a response to the pandemic. The number of children participating with ASD or a severe/profound general learning difficulty are included in the overall total of eligible children.

# Eligibility for the scheme is based on category of disability and enrolment in a recognised school.

This total will include children in special schools, special classes and those with the relevant diagnosis in mainstream education.

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider incentivising the July provision programme for teachers more (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35369/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021.

This is an important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

The following categories of students are considered as students with complex needs for the 2021

Summer programme:

- All students in special schools and special classes in primary and post primary schools, including early intervention classes.

- Students in mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support (Student Support Plus/for a few). This includes students with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were identified for the supplementary programme earlier this year.

Children in the above categories entering primary school in September 2021 are also eligible for the programme.

My Department recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme.

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

It is a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available whether or not it will participate in the programme.

There was extensive engagement with stakeholders on the barriers to schools offering the programme. In response to the issues identified, steps were taken to ease administration, provide for preparation and planning time, increased flexibility for schools on the timing of the programme and increased guidance and support. On pay, the Department has taken steps to ensure teachers and SNAs are paid earlier than in previous years.

This year more schools have expressed an interest in offering the special education programme (July Provision) than last year.

A home-based summer programme is available for children with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school-based programme.

Under the home-based programme grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can engage the services of a Teacher or an SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home. Parents are advised to contact the school for an application form if required.

The Department will approve a group arrangement between parents/legal guardians and private providers subject to compliance with the published terms and conditions for group arrangements and approved in advance by this Department. Such arrangements must be sourced and procured by parents/legal guardians

Further information on group terms and conditions is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/62b3b-home-based-summer-programme-2021-terms-and-conditions-for-group-arrangements/

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.