Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal for the July Provision for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35709/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Summer Programme is an educational programme which is run during the summer months. Sometimes referred to as July Provision, the Summer Programme was established to support the educational provision for children with severe/profound general learning disability and children with Autism by extending the school year for four weeks annually, typically into the month of July.

My department's main priority remains that those children with the most complex 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. In 2025, school meals are also to be provided during the programme as part of the Holiday Hunger initiative.

Where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, the Home-based Programme continues to be available for children with complex special education needs. However, 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, although the school registered the child for the home-based summer programme, they had confirmed that there was a place available on their school-based programme. The parent subsequently received an email confirming the child was not eligible for a place on the home-based programme.

However, as it is recognised that there might be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided instead of a school-based programme, the parent was invited to contact the Summer Programme team and to appeal the decision. To strengthen the appeal, the parent was requested to forward a letter of support from the school stating that the home-based programme is more suitable for child.

It is my understanding in this case that additional information has been provided by the school and, accordingly, a place on the home-based programme will shortly be approved for the child.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal for the July Provision for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35710/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Summer Programme is an educational programme which is run during the summer months. Sometimes referred to as July Provision, the Summer Programme was established to support the educational provision for children with severe/profound general learning disability and children with Autism by extending the school year for four weeks annually, typically into the month of July.

As a direct response to Covid-19, the Summer Programme has been significantly expanded to include more children with complex special educational needs.

My department's main priority remains that those children with the most complex 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. In 2025, school meals are also to be provided during the programme as part of the Holiday Hunger initiative.

Where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, the Home-based Programme continues to be available for children with complex special education needs. However, 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, although the school registered the child for the home-based summer programme, they had confirmed that there was a place available on their school-based programme. The parent subsequently received an email confirming the child was not eligible for a place on the home-based programme.

However, as it is recognised that there might be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided instead of a school-based programme, the parent was invited to contact the Summer Programme team and to appeal the decision. To strengthen the appeal, the parent was requested to forward a letter of support from the school stating that the home-based programme is more suitable for child.

It is my understanding in this case that additional information has been provided by the school and, accordingly, a place on the home-based programme will shortly be approved for the child.