Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the establishment of the new portal for parents in respect of the summer programme, where special schools are not running the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15570/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.

The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.

The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme.

This year, the Department has introduced a new Special School Programme as a pilot initiative to ensure there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.

Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal is currently live on www.educationposts.ie. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.

Another key support being introduced in 2023 is, where a child’s special school is not running a school based programme, a new portal will be available. This portal will allow parents to register their child’s details so that if a place is available in another location, their participation in a program may be organised. This portal is currently in final stages of development by the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) and, when developed, will also be accessible onwww.educationposts.ie.