Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which participated in the summer provision annually since 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37415/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In May 2021 the Government announced an expanded summer programme 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.

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 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 wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

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.

Existing programmes:

- Numeracy and literacy camps in DEIS  primary schools

- School based summer programme in primary  special  classes and special schools

- Home based provision for students with complex  needs where no school-based programme is available.

New programmes:

- All primary schools have the opportunity to provide a 2-3 week summer programme for mainstream pupils with complex  needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

- All Post-Primary Schools have the opportunity to provide a 2 week summer programme for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage

Between 2015 and 2020, the number of schools which participated in the school-based programme for Special Schools and Special Classes is broken down as follows:

For the expanded summer programme 2021, some schools will have the opportunity to run up to three schemes.  The information currently available represents indicative figures based on registration data:

Post primary (no of schemes being run)

*Note: only 4 schools take part at Post primary as part of an historical pilot.

Primary (number of schemes being run)

*Note (230 schools have registered, 352 schemes are being run as 122 schools are running the camp twice).

Totals

*Note: 844 primary schools have been registered for schemes some have registered for more than one scheme.

The figures noted above for 2021 are based on the number of schools which have advised that they intend to run summer programmes. The Actual numbers of schools participating in the Summer Programme 2021 will not be known until all the claim forms have been submitted and returned to the Department, which is expected to be in September.