Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if guidelines have been issued to schools with regard to the summer (July) provision scheme 2023; if not, the reason therefor; the timeframe for issuing guidelines to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22813/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the payment of teachers participating in the school-based summer (July) provision scheme 2023; the timeframe for the payment of teachers participating in the home-based summer (July) provision scheme 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22820/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that has been allocated for the summer (July) provision scheme 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22821/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage schools to offer the summer (July) provision scheme in 2023; the details of these enhanced measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22822/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 485, 492, 493 and 494 together.

The information in this response relates to the 2022 programme. Last week 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. An information pack has issued to all schools now, and an online registration portal for schools opened on 04 May 2022.

The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.

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:

- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools (2-3 weeks programmes) for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 weeks programmes)

- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)

- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage

- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)

A key objective of this year’s scheme is to increase the number of schools offering the Summer Programme to their students. Steps have been taken to afford schools as much flexibility as possible, and to ease administrative requirements. This year there is provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer as well as undergraduate student teachers who have registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5.

To support and facilitate schools and principals with organising and running the programme, the 2022 Summer Programme allows principals to delegate these functions to other members of staff through the Overseer role and preparation hours. The Overseer and preparation roles provide an exciting personal opportunity for teachers to develop their leadership skills and experience with recognition at a whole-school level.

Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage participation of schools.

These include

- A Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools.

- Provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes.

- Provision to recruit final year student teachers graduating this summer and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers.

- Guidance, Information and support will be provided to schools to help design and deliver the programmes.

- Capitation Grant Funding will be provided to cover the running costs of the scheme including enhanced capitation for special schools and classes.

This year for the first time there will be an online claims system for schools to submit payments details for those staff taking part in the school based summer programme. This will provide for faster and more streamlined payments to staff. The Department is also working on improving the payment timelines for the home-based programme and further information will be issued on this in due course.

Through the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NABMSE) the Department and Inspectorate recently hosted a webinar for special schools and provided a presentation on supports and benefits of running a school based summer programme including the positive outcomes for students that participated in the 2021 programme.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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486. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special schools here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the names and locations of these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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487. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mainstream schools with an ASD unit here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the names and locations of these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22815/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.

This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

Parents seeking special class or special school placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.

The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.

The Deputy will also be aware of increased special school provision generally with two new special schools opened in Cork and Dublin in the current school-year and further expansion planned in 2022/23 which Minister Foley and I were pleased to announce on 23 March last.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link:

ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCSE-Teaching-SNA-Allocation-Special-Schools-20.21-12.06.2020.1.pdf.

and for special classes at ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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488. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special schools to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of pupils with additional needs that participated in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22816/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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489. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mainstream schools with ASD units to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of pupils attending an ASD Unit in a mainstream school that participated in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22817/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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495. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of teachers to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the total number of special needs assistants to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22823/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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496. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocated to the summer (July) provision scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the funding allocated to the school-based scheme in each of these years; the funding allocated to the home-based scheme in these years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22824/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils attending a special school here in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the number of pupils who attend a special school that participated in the school-based summer July provision scheme here in the same period in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22985/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 488, 489, 495, 496 and 504 together.

Earlier this month, the Government announced the Summer Programme to allow all 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.

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, 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:

- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools (2-3 weeks programmes) for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 weeks programmes)

- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)

- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage

- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)

Similar to last year children with complex needs entering primary school next September are also eligible to participate in summer programmes.

The supports to support this range of programmes builds on the success last year and incorporates feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2022.

The Department has addressed concerns previously raised by stakeholders by introducing measures to support schools to encourage schools to offer the programme; funding for a Programme Overseer, preparation time, faster payments of staff, ease of administrative burden on schools and greater guidance materials on programme content.

The programmes can be run at any time over the summer providing schools with autonomy to split the programme weeks to best meet the needs of pupils and staff participating in the programme.

A home-based summer programme will be available for students with complex special educational needs where schools are not providing a school-based programme.

The information requested is not readily available and will have to be collated. We will provide this information directly to the Deputy when available.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of students with a disability, including those attending special schools and mainstream schools with ASD units, to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of these pupils to participate in the school based scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of these pupils to participate in the home based scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22818/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of students without a disability to participate in the summer (July) provision scheme here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of these pupils to participate in the school-based scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of these pupils to participate in the home-based scheme in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22819/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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507. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of children attending the school-based summer July provision scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2021 who had a disability and did not have a disability, respectively; the percentage of children attending the home-based summer July provision scheme in the same period who had a disability and did not have a disability, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22987/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 490, 491 and 507 together.

The purpose of the July Provision Scheme was to provide an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  

The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. The programme was only offered in special schools and schools with special classes. Where an eligible child’s school was not offering a programme funding was provided for parents to engage a teacher to provide tuition in the child’s home.

In 2020 a significantly expanded summer programme was established as a response to COVID-19 with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional children with complex needs.  

The programme aims were to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children could reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.  As part of this expansion, the Department’s existing Literacy and Numeracy camps for DEIS Primary Band 1 schools was included in the Summer Programme and extended to all DEIS Primary schools. Furthermore, DEIS post-primary schools were given the option of running an inclusion programme for the first time.

In 2021, due to the ongoing pandemic, the government announced a further expansion to the Summer Programme.  Under this expansion, students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage had access to an enhanced summer programme of education. For the first time, all primary schools were given the opportunity to run a 2-3 week inclusion programme, and the inclusion programme that ran in DEIS post-primary schools in 2020 was expanded to include all post-primary schools.

The information below relates to the Special Class and Special School programme and the Home-Based Summer Programme over the years 2016-2021:

Information on the percentages of pupils who had or did not have disabilities is not available.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to cater to a broad cohort of students under the July Provision scheme as was the case in 2021; if she is seeking to expand the criteria for eligibility and the number of schools participating; when applications for the July provision programme will open; the details of the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22830/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this month, the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all 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. My Department has issued an information pack to all schools on this year's programme and it is currently open for schools to apply.

The total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.

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:

- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools (2-3 weeks programmes) for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary (2-5 weeks programmes)

- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools (one week per camp)

- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools (2 weeks) for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage

- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available (4 weeks – 40 hours)

Similar to last year children with complex needs entering primary school next September are also eligible to participate in summer programmes.

The supports to support this range of programmes builds on the success last year and incorporates feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2022.

The Department has addressed concerns previously raised by stakeholders by introducing measures to support schools to encourage schools to offer the programme; funding for a Programme Overseer, preparation time, faster payments of staff, ease of administrative burden on schools and greater guidance materials on programme content.

The programmes can be run at any time over the summer providing schools with autonomy to split the programme weeks to best meet the needs of pupils and staff participating in the programme.

A home-based summer programme will be available for students with complex special educational needs where schools are not providing a school-based programme. Information on the application process for the home-based programme will issue to schools this week.

Further information on the Summer Programme can be found www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.