Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) in County Kerry will qualify for the July Provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20004/23]

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

The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical well-being and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.

The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.

This year’s school based programme is open to pupils enrolled in special schools, special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.

Schools with special classes running a school based scheme should prioritise students in special classes when assigning places for their programme. All students attending special classes are eligible to participate in their school’s summer programme. Subsequent places can then be given to pupils with complex special educational needs in mainstream classes

Children entering primary school in September 2023 and who meet the above criteria are also eligible for the programme. Remaining places on the programme should be offered to those at most risk of educational disadvantage.

Full details on eligibility are available on gov.ie/summerprogramme. 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 Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.

This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for 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.

In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-

- The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.

- The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.

- The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 09064 84292 to address any specific queries regarding year’s scheme or queries can be directed to schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Participating schools can also request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.

This year’s Home-based programme will be available for pupils with complex special educational needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable.

Details of this year’s Home-based programme will be published shortly along with full details on eligibility criteria. Full information, when available, will issue to schools directly and published on gov.ie/summerprogramme.

Based on the details supplied, it appears that the child is in a preschool setting. If he is entering primary school in September 2023 and meets the criteria, he may be eligible for the school-based summer programme provided the primary school he is to attend is running the Summer Programme and has a place available. Alternatively, where the primary school is not running the Summer Programme or, if it is being run but the school does not have a place available, the home-based summer programme may be available. Either way, it is advisable that his parent(s) contact the primary school to ascertain if they can accommodate their child in this year’s programme.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 28 March 2023, the school in the Dublin mid-west area that has had one new special class at post-primary level approved for the 2023-2024 school year; the schools in this area that have engaged with the NCSE to establish a special class; if she will provide an update on their engagements to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20007/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is a separate statutory agency, is responsible through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where a need has been identified.

The NCSE welcomes expressions of interest from schools in opening special classes to meet the demand for special class provision. In deciding on the location of a special class, SENOs take into account both the present and the future potential need for special class provision in the area, they must be satisfied that the special class is sustainable and appropriately located. SENOs liaise with relevant professionals in their area to arrive at an informed decision.

It is department policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education and as set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.

Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the department and the NCSE ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.

The NCSE has advised my department that it continues to work with schools to ensure all students identified as requiring places in the special class meet the Department of Education’s criteria for enrolment in a special class.

In addition to the 218 new special classes announced on 12 April, the NCSE advise that they will very shortly publish a list of further additional special classes that have now been sanctioned for the coming school year 2023/2024.

I want to reassure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at ncse.ie