Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an organisation (details supplied) is permitted to offer support as part of summer provision for students who are blind or vision impaired as it did in 2020; if not, the reason it is not included in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37146/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The needs of children with special educational needs and children at most risk of educational disadvantage are a huge priority for Government at the present time. These children were impacted greatly by Covid-19 and the closure of schools. The Government provided guidance and support for schools throughout this period and put in place a supplementary tuition programme for these children in March this year.

In May 2021 the Government announced a package of supports to allow primary and post primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021.

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

The programmes on offer this summer include a new 2-3 week summer programme available to all primary schools and an expansion of the existing programmes in special schools and classes and in DEIS schools.

This range of programmes on offer builds on the success of the expanded programmes that ran last year and incorporates feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2021.

The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups. The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote well-being and for those who are at key transition stages, help to ensure that they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

The eligibility criteria for the summer programme was expanded in 2020 to include primary school children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment. This has been widened under the 2021 summer programme to include children with sensory impairments attending post-primary school as well.

It is acknowledged that there are a range of voluntary bodies, disability representative organisations, or other publicly funded bodies, who also provide some form of summer programmes for children with special educational needs. Many of these are useful and beneficial programmes which are high valued by parents and children. There is no impediment to such organisations continuing to provide such programmes.

The summer education programme which is run by this Department, however, is an educational programme and therefore the programme is provided by educational staff, such as Teachers and SNAs.

In line with policy advice received from the NCSE, a review of the July Provision was commenced in 2019, was paused due to COVID and will get underway again shortly. Consideration of the potential inclusion of other specialist supports, in future, will be considered as part of this review.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if technological support for assistive technology and Braille lesson packs to supplement learning over the summer are available for students who are blind or vision impaired; if not, if she will consider making them available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37147/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology, for educational purposes, to assist children with special educational needs in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools, in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

In order to qualify for equipment under the scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

Equipment such as FM Radio systems and Soundfield systems for children with a hearing impairment, Braille equipment to assist children with a visual impairment as well as personal computers and specialist software are amongst the items funded by my Department. Schools apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) for such support. SENOs make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support in the form of Assistive Technology.

Although the assistive technology is sanctioned for a particular pupil, the equipment will remain the property of the school and should normally be kept in the school. However, the pupil may, with the consent of the management authority, use the equipment at home.

Where schools, or pupils, have received sanction for equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme, and are participating in the school based summer education programme, they may, with the agreement of the school, use this equipment during the summer programme, where necessary.

Many pupils who have visual impairment also receive educational materials in the braille format, which are provided by the National Braille Production Centre. Again, where pupils use such materials, they may use these materials during the summer programme, where necessary.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that can be taken to ensure the provision of a school place suitable to meeting requirements in the case of a person (details supplied); if immediate action will be taken to make provision for a person of such needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37149/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the relevant support services, including NEPS and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recently met with the parents in this case. All involved are working towards ensuring that the student can access a suitable placement as soon as possible.

I can also assure the Deputy that the NCSE will continue to be available to support this family throughout this process.