Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

812.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to detail the rates of pay for SNAs for the July provision; when payment was issued to SNAs in 2021, 2022, and 2023; and when it is estimated that payment will issue in 2024. [32820/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Details of the 2024 Summer Programme (formerly July Provision) were published on the 21^stMarch 2024. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of this funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.

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

Managers, teachers and SNAs who work on the Summer Programme are paid for this work based on the rates they are normally paid during the school year (i.e., their personal rate). If they are a casual SNA, they will be paid a daily/hourly rate of pay.

Since 2022, schools running the school-based Summer Programme have utilised the Department’s Esinet system to submit payment claims. In doing so, this allows claims to be processed on an ongoing basis during the summer. Payments for the school-based summer programme are generally paid in the next available payroll following the submission of fully completed payment claims by schools.

In 2023, over 90% of staff who participated on Primary School scheme were paid via Esinet by the end of August. The Department will continue to endeavour to facilitate early payment for those that participate in this scheme in 2024.

In relation to the home-based Summer Programme, teachers and SNAs are paid an hourly rate per hour of tuition/care support delivered. In the case of SNAs, the hourly rates of pay and the payment commencement dates from 2021 to 2023 are as follows.

In 2024, the rate per hour of care support payable to SNAs will be €18.67. Payments in respect of the 2024 home-based Summer Programme are scheduled to commence issuing on a rolling basis from the 26^thSeptember 2024 for those correctly completed forms submitted and received prior to the 6^thSeptember 2024.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

813.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide the figures, or estimated figures, for the current unmet level of need in regard to children who require a space in a special educational class. [32830/24]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

848.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with SEN without an appropriate school place. [33397/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 813 and 848 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

My department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.

402 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, 284 at primary and 118 at post primary level, providing over 2,400 special education places in mainstream schools.

The NCSE is confident that through the provision of the newly sanctioned classes and vacancies in existing classes there is sufficient places to meet the needs of all children known to them for September 2024.

I am determined to ensure that all children who require a placement can access this as quickly as possible. I meet with NCSE weekly to discuss progress and to ensure that every child has a school place for the coming term.

The NCSE continue to be notified where schools are completing the enrolment process to special classes as children move from primary to post primary or leave our school system. These places continue to be filled on an ongoing basis.

The NCSE is working with schools who may be available to open classes for September 2024 but may not be required at this time. They will remain options for additional provision if required throughout the 2024/25 school year.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

I have asked the NCSE to ensure any remaining classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.

In addition, significant additional resources and funding of €13 million has been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents when seeking a special educational placement.