Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The details of the 2024 Summer Programme are expected to be announced as soon as possible in the coming months. For 2024, the total funding available to run the Summer Programme will be €40m which matches the budget for the last 3 years.

Preparations for the 2024 Summer Programme have already commenced. This involves engagement with education partners, parents, schools, advocacy groups and other stakeholders. On foot of this engagement, the terms and conditions for the 2024 Summer Programme will be designed so as to encourage even more schools and staff to participate. We will also be engaging with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in identifying other groups who are interested in running an educational programme so as to ensure the widest possible participation.

The main priority again in 2024 is expected to be that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme. It is also expected that the 2024 school based programme will be 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.

The aims of Summer Programme are to support children to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and to increase their motivation through peer engagement and socialisation, to promote wellbeing and, for those who are at key transition stages, to help to ensure that they continue their education journey in the following September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

It is intended that the range of programmes on offer will continue building on the success of the expanded programmes that ran previously and will incorporate feedback from education stakeholders as to how to better support the programme for all involved in summer 2023.

This is an important programme for children with special educational needs and for children at most risk of disadvantage and you can be assured that the Department will look to build on the success of 2023 to increase the number of children in our special schools taking part.

Once launched, full details of the 2024 Summer Programme will be issued directly to schools and made available for parents/legal guardians and teachers/SNAs to view or download on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.

I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to support families in accessing these programmes and with schools to ensure that they have the resources and supports necessary to successfully run them.