Search the record

important part in the lives of children with additional needs, be they special educational needs or children from areas of economic disadvantage. The summer programme is a vital support for families. It is specifically designed to support children with complex educational needs and those at risk of educational … reopened to allow further schools to apply. The Minister will announce details of the extension shortly because everyone in this House knows the summer programme is an absolutely crucial support for families over the holiday period. It has huge benefits for children in their social and emotional well

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The same school has an issue with the summer programme as well. On the school's notification of the summer programme, the quantum has arrived three months later than last year and the school still does not know how many places … that came up during the general election campaign. I remember talking to teachers who were really struggling to make their plans for the summer programme because they were hearing about their resources quite late in the cycle. Will the Minister of State give us any assurance or information

summer programme is hugely valued within school communities and families. That just goes to show the huge number of families and students who have applied for the programme across the system. It came up again at the Oireachtas committee on education yesterday when the Minister and I were … reflecting very carefully on the concerns that were raised about the summer programme into 2026 and the challenges there were for a number of schools and students. We are reflecting very carefully on that but of course we have to be very mindful also that we have

want to raise the issue of July provision. The summer programme is very important, providing additional educational supports to students during the summer months. Unfortunately, issues have arisen this year in relation to the application process. A very short window was open for schools to apply. Many received

follow on the same subject. I thank the Tánaiste for his continued engagement when I raised the issue of the summer programme, what was known as the July provision. In my constituency, I had one advocate who was representing ten families that were blocked out of the scheme

record on special education and children with additional needs is one of investment and growth. There were 8,767 children benefiting from the summer programme in 2016. Over 70,000 benefited last year. I would be surprised if that number was not higher again this year. When

summer programme or July provision is essential for children with special educational needs. This year, schools were given just one week to apply with late notice from the Department. Many schools missed the deadline through no fault of their own. I call for a debate on this issue

minding loved ones in their homes. Another matter, which I raised earlier today and which affects many people with disabilities is the summer programme or the July provision for children with special needs. For this year's programme, schools were given just one week's notice. Usually, they

basic infrastructure and it cannot be delayed any longer. In general, schools are waiting far too long for clarity on staffing and summer programmes. This should be provided as soon as possible to allow schools to plan accordingly and give certainty to staff. It is the least that

priority publication list for the spring session. Then it was moved to the priority publication list for the summer legislative programme and it was only published in mid May. I am confused as to why this was the case, particularly because at the joint Oireachtas committee

Research Ireland's programmes and attracting international research through the Global Talent Ireland initiative that I launched last summer along with a new and expanded scholarship programme, called Global Gaels. I am also very keen to strengthen the links between PhD provision and industry so that PhD graduates

discussion that we had about programmes like “Bluey”, “Dora the Explorer” and so on. These are programmes that kids enjoy in this jurisdiction, perhaps during the summer months in Donegal. When they return home, they have no access to the RTÉ Player and these programmes that they have

what that scheme may look like, and hope to be able to launch it ahead of the summer. Considerations that are informing our work in the development of the programme include the changed demographic and socioeconomic landscape in Ireland. According to the revised Pobal HP deprivation index, post

Here at home, work is continuing on the commitment in the programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the importation of goods from occupied Palestinian territories following the ICJ advisory opinion. In June 2025, last summer, the Government approved the general scheme of the Israeli Settlements

from Fermoy and their teachers. The summer holidays are ag teacht. Go n-éirí leo. I thank Deputy McCarthy for this very important question. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I are working together in the context of the community services programme, which supports 453 services nationally through

inclusion in the programme for Government. The private wires Bill for which the Minister has received sanction from the Government is priority legislation. The intention is to publish a draft Bill in the coming months - I think prior to the summer recess - with a target that the Bill

need to do more on this. Certainly, with the next round of the community sport facilities fund opening over the course of this summer, we want to try to do as much as we can in that short timeframe to encourage collaboration between schools, local authorities and clubs … have to look at how we can do more to identify land and communal grounds where municipal-type facilities can be developed. The programme for Government commits to that. My officials and I are engaging with the Department of housing to establish that. One recent example

place to be able to identify where risks emerge and how we respond to them. The military radar programme coupled with the sonar programme we are developing, the sonobuoys, make sure that we have a full and complete picture of what is happening under our water and above … happening. We are also making sure we are able to respond to threats as they emerge. I hope to enact before the summer new legislation which will give our Defence Forces even greater clarity in terms of boarding, inspecting and directing ships if they are where they should

State. We made commitments to continue to support and expand the capacity of the Garda training college in Templemore as part of the programme for Government. We have also committed to considering the establishment of a second Garda training college. We also said we would consider allowing Garda … capacity of high-quality education and training and continuing professional development in An Garda Síochána. That will report to the Minister by the summer. Clearly, given the month of May, summer has not arrived yet. The group will consider specifically the case for a second training college

commissioned by Swim Ireland on the back of the funding from the Government for that purpose. At the moment, two capital funding programmes support investment in sports infrastructure, namely the community sports facilities fund, CSFF, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. LSSIF applications must be made … swimming equipment can be made under the CSFF, the next round of which we intend to open in the near future over the summer. We will continue to fully assess the report in terms of how we can support the issues and gaps raised and clarified

result. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan - To discuss a public awareness campaign on Lyme disease and the risks posed by ticks in the summer months. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the Minister's engagement with the Before We Die Group, and plans for ramping up residential placements nationwide … Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the humanitarian crisis in Cuba. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss establishing a national radiation therapy equipment replacement programme. Deputies Maurice Quinlivan, Conor Sheehan - To discuss the delay in funding BusConnects in Limerick. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss emergency roads funding to cover

priorities for the OPW and that the OPW officials were giving the project every priority possible at the time. In the summer of 2023, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, met Wexford County Council and the Coast Guard in Courtown so there would be no issue with any potential site … quite a significant period. He said that new accommodation for the Courtown Coast Guard unit was included in the Coast Guard building programme. He said it was worth repeating that it was one of the key priorities of the delivery programme. He said a preferred site had been

lands for parks and playing pitches to help to build liveable communities. While neither of my Department's sports capital funding programmes, the community sport facilities fund, CSFF, or the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, provide for the acquisition of land, I would be supportive of local … finalised shortly, in advance of it opening. My Department is aiming to announce the opening of applications over the course of this summer. Regarding the LSSIF, our current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds and this process will inform any decisions regarding

State agencies also attended. This was the 12th meeting we have had. In particular, we reflected on the recent St. Patrick's Day programme, which was the largest in the history of the State. It was welcomed by all of those at the meeting. When we look … meeting. I am pleased this week that the EU has agreed the pathway forward for our side of the Turnberry agreement. Before the summer and before we take over the EU Presidency, I hope that we can see significant progress on more areas and the priorities that

Indeed, the Government made this explicitly clear by including a commitment to preserving and protecting Ireland's policy of military neutrality in the programme for Government, as published last year. We did this because we know that Ireland's policy of military neutrality has long been an important … Security Council from 2021 to 2022, when we witnessed its use on several critical issues. As evidenced by challenges encountered last summer in relation to the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon, the threat or use of the UN Security Council veto is a significant complicating

reduction of access to Department-funded summer camps in primary schools; the reason children who have previously attended and benefited significantly from these summer programmes are now unable to access them in 2026; if changes have been made to funding, eligibility criteria or delivery of such summer programmes

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide confirmation that the summer programme will be going ahead this year at a school (details supplied); the number of places the school can offer for the summer programme; if there is an outcome

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth if flexibility will be afforded to schools that missed the Summer Programme application deadline due to the extremely limited timeframe provided (details supplied); the rationale for this timeframe; when schools can expect definitive clarification in order that they

aware that schools such as a school (details supplied) in north Dublin have received late notice regarding the future of the Summer Programme; whether she will ensure that schools receive Departmental communications earlier in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40715/26

families are not placed in the same position in future years (details supplied); if her Department has considered reopening or extending the Summer Programme application portal for schools which were unable to apply due to the narrow application window; and if she will make a statement

Youth to provide a detailed breakdown, by county and primary/post primary of the number of schools have signed up to the school-based summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41085/26

Minister for Education and Youth to provide a detailed breakdown, by county of the number of families have registered for the home-based summer programme; if she can detail the supports that will be made available to those who missed the deadline or who cannot find teachers

Youth to detail the reasoning for the difference in pay for teachers and SNAs when providing the same work during home-based summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41087/26

Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive final confirmation regarding the operation and allocation of places for the 2026 summer programme; the reason for the delays in issuing confirmation to the school and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38802/26

Minister for Education and Youth her plans to provide the further support requested by a school (details supplied) to roll out the summer programme. [38464/26

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she is taking to ensure that every special school has a summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38104/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department will be announcing details of this year's summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32136/26

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the new portal system regarding the summer education programme for children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35755/26

contraception scheme, given that the Heads of this Bill were approved in March 2026 and identified as priority legislation in the Government Summer 2026 Legislative Programme; what consultations have taken place with community pharmacists regarding the design of this service; and if she will make a statement

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the summer respite activities and programmes planned for service users of St. Joseph's Foundation in Cork in 2026; the number of persons expected to benefit from these activities; the funding allocated for same; and if she will

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that summer provision is available to students with additional needs in schools where the programme has not operated in recent years; and the obligations that apply to schools in this regard. [39488/26

Education and Youth if there is any reduction of funding for the July provision programme in national schools; if she will commit to restoring and safeguarding this funding to ensure adequate provision for summer 2026 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41358/26