Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Details of this year’s Summer Programme were announced by the Department on 9 February 2023. Again, 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 wellbeing 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.

Schools with special classes running a school based scheme are asked to 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 with the remaining places on the programme being offered to those at most risk of educational disadvantage

The Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. However, 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.

As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme. A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.

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.

Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is also available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. 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.

This year’s Home-based programme is 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 have been published which include full details on eligibility criteria. Full information has also issued to schools directly and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.