Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In May Minister Foley and I 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.

Building on the 2021 programme, all primary and post primary schools can offer a summer programme and in line with last year’s funding, there is up to €40 million available to provide for this year’s programme.

My Department recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme.  A home-based summer programme will continue to be available for children with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school-based programme.

Teachers and SNAs are paid per hour of tuition/care support delivered in line with agreed terms and public service pay agreements. Public service pay is dealt with through centralised engagement and collective bargaining between Government and the public service unions.

Payment rates for Overseers, Teachers and SNAs who work on the school based programme will be based on what they are normally paid during the school year (their personal rate). Preparation hours will be paid in the same way. All others will be paid a daily/hourly rate of pay.

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. 

The hourly rate for a Primary qualified teacher providing tuition to a primary school pupil is €43.34.

The hourly rate for a Post-Primary qualified teacher providing tuition to a post-primary school pupil is €47.55. 

A modified rate of €35.69 per hour will apply in a number of circumstances, including but not limited to, teachers providing tuition to pupils in sectors in which they are not qualified, and student teachers who are registered under Route 5.  The full list of circumstances under which the modified rate is paid are listed on the Overview document as published on the Summer Programme site on gov.ie 

An hourly rate of €16.77 is payable to SNAs who provide care support under the home-based summer programme.  In addition it is open to schools and/or parents to recruit personnel other than teachers or SNAs to support the summer programme, including care staff who in many cases are already known to the children. Anyone who is not registered with the Teaching Council will be paid the hourly pay rate for SNAs.  This advice, which can increase the numbers of people eligible to work on summer programmes in 2022 has been provided to schools and parents.