Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if assistance with an application will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36015/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21^st March 2024. Funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.

All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

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.

Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, the Home-based programme is available for pupils with complex special educational needs.

Decisions regarding which children should participate in the school-based provision or the home-based provision is a matter for the school, having due regard to the eligibility criteria and the resources applied for. It should be noted that schools have considerable flexibility in terms of staffing, such as recruiting staff who are not teachers or SNAs, to assist them in supporting the children in their school.

In relation to the child referred to by the Deputy, the school in this instance had not registered the child for the Home Based Summer Programme within the time-frame specified. My Department's Officials

have liaised with the school concerned and the relevant information was issued to the parent on 11th September so that the application is accepted and payment claim will be processed.