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For Written Answer on : 09/05/2023
Question Number(s): 281,282 Question Reference(s): 21326/23, 21327/23
Department: Education
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION



* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary schools that provided the Summer Programme in 2022; the number of primary schools that are expected to provide the Summer Programme in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

– David Stanton T.D.


For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 9 May, 2023.

* To ask the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to early years education staff with experience in special need education, who do not hold teaching qualifications, being eligible for employment under the Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

– David Stanton T.D.


For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 9 May, 2023.

REPLY


The Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.

The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.


The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.


The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.


The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme.  Measures to encourage schools to sign up and provide places on the school-based summer programme are as follows:
This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.


This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.

In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:

  • The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
  • The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.
  • The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

In 2022, a total of 705 Primary Schools participated in the Special Educational Needs Summer Programmes.  494 schools did the Primary School Inclusion Programme and 380 school participated in the Special Class Scheme element of last year’s programme. A total of 39 Special Schools also participated in the 2022 Summer Programme.

The measures introduced this year to encourage schools to sign up this year are proving successful and based on registration it is anticipated that there will be a 20% increase of overall figures of schools participating in Primary Schools Scheme and a 50% increase of the overall figures of schools participating in the Special Schools Scheme.

With regard to eligibility for employment under the Summer Programme, student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and early years education staff, can register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.

Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal is live on www.educationposts.ie and has been widely publicised. All registered schools have access to this portal and can engage personnel on this portal to address their staffing needs for this year’s Summer Programme.

Early childcare workers and early years education staff can be engaged as SNA on the Home Based Programme, the terms of which will be published shortly and will available on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. Parents are required to carry out the required qualification, vetting and child protection procedures regardless of how they source a teacher/SNA. To help parents source a teacher/SNA for the summer programme in their local area, the IPPN has created a Summer Programme Noticeboard for teachers and SNAs to advertise their availability for the programme.  Parents can also post notices on the board to source suitable candidates. The Summer Programme Noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.