Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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626. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to increase funding for the summer programme by 15% by first year, full year and school year cost, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29911/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Programme is an educational programme which is run during the summer period. Each year, all schools are given an opportunity to run a programme for those children who need it the most.

The aim of the Summer Programme is to ensure that these children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

Our main priority is ensuring that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme. To encourage schools to run a Summer Programme, a range of supports and measures have been introduced. For special schools, these include a bespoke pilot programme, a national coordinator, a shorter school day and additional grant funding. For all schools, supports include key leadership roles, higher personal rate of pay for staff, enhanced capitation, a transport grant and earlier staff payments.

The programme continues to build on the progress that has been made over the last number of years. In 2024, over 59,000 children participated compared to the 13,000 children who participated in 2019, an increase of 356%. In 2025, over 1,800 schools have registered to run more than 2,000 individual summer programme schemes. It is anticipated that the number of children taking part in these schools will be even higher again this year, continuing the positive upward trend in participation seen in previous years.

Between 2021 to 2024, €40 million in funding had been allocated each year to the Summer Programme. For this year’s programme, funding of €62 million was secured in Budget 2025 to ensure its continuance. This represents a 55% increase on the funding previously provided.

It should be noted that the full budget for the summer programme is provided for in each calendar year. If the current funding €62 million for the 2025 Summer Programme were to be increased by 15%, the total funding would equate to €71.3 million as follows:

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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627. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to increase funding for the assistive technology scheme by 20% by first year, full year and school year cost, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29912/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.

All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.

The Assistive Technology Scheme supplements the overall funding approach for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum. For children with more complex disabilities who require such equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have or which cannot be provided for them through the schools' existing provisions, schools can apply for this equipment under the terms of the Assistive Technology Scheme.

In 2024, the Assistive Technology expenditure for the months January to December equated to €4,633,497. The following is a breakdown of the estimated cost to increase funding for the Assistive Technology scheme by 20%: