Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) can avail of tutor summer provision if the dates and activities in the school-based summer provision do not suit the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33853/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, the Home-based Programme will be available for children with complex special education needs. Due to the strong preference for students to take part in school-based programmes, the home-based programme is not available where a school-based programme is being provided.

In the case of the child concerned, it was open to the school to register the child for the home-based summer programme. If the school confirmed that there was no place available on their school-based programme, the parent would have received an email confirming the child’s eligibility for the home-based programme.

However, it is also recognised that there may be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided instead of a school-based programme. If the school confirmed that a place was available, the parent could have contacted the Summer Programme team directly via email at homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie to appeal the decision and to outline their circumstances. To strengthen the appeal, it would have been recommended that the parent also enclose a letter of support from the school stating that the home-based programme is more suitable for child.

Finally, the online portal for the home-based summer programme, which was open from the 19th of May to the 13th of June 2025, is now closed. If the school wishes to register the child for the home-based programme, the school should contact the Summer Programme team to discuss a possible late registration.