James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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789. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a student (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13962/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education announced the 2023 Summer Programme on the 9th February 2023. This follows the previous announcement made on 17th October 2022 that additional funding was secured in Budget 2023 to run the programme to match the investment in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total funding available to €40m.

The terms for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer. A key objective of this year’s summer programme 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 burdens. Capitation funding and additional supports including the new role of School Organiser are being provided to schools who participate in the programme. Further funding has also been made available to Special Schools, in recognition of the extra complexities in running programmes in their schools.

The main priority in running the 2023 Summer Programme is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme. The preferred approach is that children are provided the Summer Programme in school settings where they have access to fully qualified teachers, adapted fun based activity programmes, special needs assistants and interaction with student peers. The Department of Education considers that school-based programmes provide a more holistic experience for students and help retain the important connection with school and peers.

However, it must also be noted that participation in the scheme remains voluntary. It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of a school to decide whether or not it will participate in the Summer Programme. The Department cannot compel schools to participate in the programme.

Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, a home-based programme will be available for children with complex special educational needs. The details of the home-based programme will be announced in the coming weeks on gov.ie/summerprogramme.