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thank the Deputy for the question. Like the Deputy, we recognise the importance of the summer programme as a vital piece in the education system. It is vital for children at primary and post-primary school. It is specifically designed for children with complex educational needs or those … children themselves reporting improvements in confidence, attitude and readiness to return to school in September. The original intention and continued emphasis of the summer programme is to mitigate the impact of learning loss on those children while schools are closed. An increase in special educational needs prevalence rates

original intention and the continued emphasis of the summer programme is to mitigate the impact of learning loss on those children while schools are closed. An increase in special educational needs prevalence rates, particularly of autism, and the presentation of children with more complex needs has meant that … summer programme is more important than ever. Details of the summer programme were communicated to schools and stakeholders in early May. While it is acknowledged that the details of the programme are typically announced earlier, the Department continually kept in touch with stakeholders querying when the summer programme

raise the school summer programme, which was formerly called the July provision. I have been contacted by numerous parents, school staff and principals who are really frustrated and very stressed. People at St. Michael's school and Scoil Mhuire in Trim, St. Anne's school in Navan … West have told me they have not been allocated enough resources and staff by the Department to run the programme this year. The summer programme has been really responsive to me and I know its staff are working with schools. However, I am really concerned that the wording

level of support provided by the summer programme and its recognised benefits are very clear. It is recognised by school communities, parents and children themselves. There is increasing demand for the programme and, in recent years, an increased number of places have been provided. However, very real problems … recognition of the complex needs in the school. It has nine SNAs but has been told it will have six for the summer programme. In Trim, a school with a tremendous track record in special education has 18 SNAs but has been told

Families of children with additional needs are once again being let down by the Taoiseach's Government's disastrous mishandling of the summer programme, also known as July provision. Parents are still waiting for home tuition and hours to be sanctioned just days before the schools close. Schools … explain to parents, teachers and SNAs across the State why this has happened and what the Government will do to ensure that the summer programme supports children with additional needs and that it will be delivered on time and with the staffing and resources children and families need

summer programme or July provision scheme has proven an invaluable resource to families and provides a vital service over the course of the summer months. Since the turn of the decade, those numbers have quadrupled from 13,000 to almost 70,000. However, I have received a number … SNAs in this Chamber. I would like reassurance from the Government that there will be no cut to SNAs in relation to the summer programme and that it will ensure that this vital service can be provided from 24 June. It is only a matter of weeks away

funding has increased by €42 million. I am told here that no eligible child is being precluded from taking part in the summer programme this year, that all sanction letters to schools that applied to run a programme have issued, and that officials in the Department of education … engaging with schools on an individual basis in relation to the running of their summer programme and staffing allocations. Particularly for complex special educational needs, again, there is provision for SNAs and for teachers. In 2025, there were about 11,500 special needs assistants participating in the programme

July provision summer programme exists for the most vulnerable children in this country. This year the government has made a complete shambles of it. First, the Government opened and closed the application window before many schools and families even knew it was open. Second, the Government significantly … members. This year, this allocation has been cut to just five. The fact that this allocation only arrived last week, days before the summer programme is due to commence, has left this programme under significant jeopardy. This is not just an isolated issue. It is happening right across

understand the need for that. There has been an increase. This shows the value that the families and school communities put on the summer programme. I am pleased to see that more primary, post-primary and special schools are engaging in the programme. That is what we want … ensure that children who require further education, those with additional educational needs and children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunity of the summer programme. This programme was devised many years ago and it has been successful and has been running across the schools. We understand the value

with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the programme for Government makes several commitments to deliver on this objective. The summer programme is a vital and targeted intervention that is specifically designed for children with complex special educational needs or those at risk of educational … disadvantage. While it is delivered during the summer months, it is an educational programme and should not be viewed as a replacement for recreational summer camps. Since 2021, the Department of Education and Youth's inspectorate has evaluated the programme annually. Its findings consistently highlight the programme

understanding is that it was originally for special schools and special needs children. That was the original objective of the schools summer programme. There always has to be a razor-sharp focus on targeting those who most need it. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton

school that illustrates a broader problem. I will refer to one school but I am referring to a broader issue with the school summer programme. There was a delay, and the Minister of State is aware of this, in releasing the programme. Only in the past few weeks … these are kids who have an SNA in their classroom every single day. Their needs do not change. Just because it is the summer, their needs do not change and they certainly do not decrease at any particular time in the calendar. If they are entitled

next summer because there are always learnings. I take that point. I am going to balance that by saying that since 2019, the summer programme has gone from strength to strength. We have more than 1,800 schools and 71,000 children participating in the programme. That compares

thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue, which is quite a serious one. The summer programme is fully funded by the Department of Education and Youth and schools are supposed to run the programme within the budget provided by the Department. I am not unfairly having

with higher needs. There is a total lack of certainty. These schools are under intense pressure as they try to prepare for the summer programme in the coming weeks. I ask the Minister to take the matter up with the Department as a matter of urgency. There

include an autism unit in a Kerry school (details supplied). Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss access to, and staffing for, the summer programme for 2026. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the national child poverty target. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss an application for an interim ancillary

increased since last year. Officials in the Department are engaging with schools on an individual basis in relation to the running of the summer programme. The staffing allocation for special class groups in the primary school scheme is typically the same as the special class resource allocation that

name of the Member in each case: Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss Kilmurry National School's SNA allocation and the summer programme. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss an application for an interim ancillary grant by Ballygiblin National School, Mitchelstown. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin - To discuss wheelchair access

Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for social and affordable housing in Arklow, County Wicklow. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the school summer programme. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the progress of proposed school extension works at Cólaiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Cork. Deputy Daniel Ennis

discuss the need for an autism unit at Causeway Comprehensive School - Scoil Chuimsitheach an Tóchair. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the school summer programme. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss the designation of Burtonport as an approved port for landings by fishing vessels on a Saturday

titled Ireland's Wasted Renewable Energy Report for the 16 months to 30 April 2026. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the school summer programme. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss the designation of Burtonport as an approved port for landings by fishing vessels on a Saturday

summer provision programme has been very difficult this year. It used to not be difficult to implement but this year it has been particularly difficult. I have spoken with parents and principals who feel very disrespected. They have had to assume an extra burden this year … sure that things are sorted out for the next academic year? Will the Government apologise to any child who does not have a summer provision this year because they are going to be at home when other children are having the time of their lives in the summer

come into the Dáil. I thank them for being here and hope they enjoy their summer holidays, which are coming shortly. As the Deputy will be aware, the programme for Government commits to maintaining the Cabinet committee subgroup on insurance reform to ensure insurance issues continue to receive … Éireann. It is my intention, with the co-operation of everyone, that this be passed through the Oireachtas and signed into law this summer. This will be very important. As the Deputy will be aware, this legislation builds on the voluntary code of practice that is currently

said earlier, and I say sincerely, once we get through the summer we should have broader engagement on how we can learn lessons. The Minister and the Government are very committed to the programme. We have seen a huge increase in the number of people using

sector is set out in A New Era for Irish Tourism, launched in December 2025 as a key commitment under the programme for Government. The policy sets a clear, forward-looking framework for the development of the sector to 2031. It reflects tourism’s role … with ferry capacity growing significantly. Looking ahead to summer 2026, capacity is expected to remain positive, with overall air access projected to increase by approximately 3%. Tourism Ireland continues to promote the island intensively in overseas markets. Its 2026 programme spans over 15 key markets and focuses

Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school (details supplied) has been forced to withdraw its summer programme due to her Department’s failure to sanction the necessary staffing levels, leaving children with special educational needs without vital supports over … summer; whether she intends on rectifying this so that the school’s summer programme can proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49613/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason staffing allocations under the 2026 Summer Programme for primary schools have been significantly reduced; if she is aware that many schools may be forced to cancel their programmes as a result of these cuts, leaving children … with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage without access to a summer programme this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47612/26

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a school's (details supplied) Summer Programme funding; if they will receive adequate funding to ensure their allocation of staff fully meets the needs of all those children participating; when will they be approved … Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48400/26

taken to ensure adequate special needs assistants (SNA's) staffing levels in view of reports that shortages of SNAs are resulting in Summer Provision Programmes being cancelled, thereby depriving children with additional needs of essential support; the number of Summer Provision Programmes that have been affected or cancelled

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that teachers and SNAs working the summer programme will be sent home without pay if attendance targets are not met on the first day, despite staff committing part of their summer holidays

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the online portal for the Summer Provision Programme has closed earlier than usual this year; if parents who missed the new deadline will be able to make an application for the Summer Provision Programme

Youth the reason special needs assistant support is no longer being provided as part of the school-based DEIS literacy and numeracy summer programme; the way in which this decision aligns with her Department's commitment to inclusive education; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the Summer Programme supports available to a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49229/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline of payments for the summer programme. [49571/26

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional support will be provided for the Summer Programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49614/26

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the summer programme 2026 for an individual (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47900/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to resolve delays with the schools summer programme, including in a particular school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48255/26

raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she has been made aware of the issues relating to the provision of transport schemes for the Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47389/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason sanction approvals for the 2026 Home-Based Summer Programme have not yet issued to participating families; the number of applications received to date; when sanction emails will issue to parents and guardians; and the measures being

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that summer programme resources will be available to a school (details supplied); the reason there has been a delay in providing this information to schools; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of guidance issued to schools under the 2026 Summer Programme requiring staff to be sent home where pupil attendance falls below the specified ratio; the legal basis for imposing such a requirement; the rationale

Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if alternative arrangements are possible for children who have been approved for home-based summer programme supports but who are in overcrowded or emergency accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47681/26

Youth if she is aware of a case in which a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary that identified demand for an additional Summer Programme class for vulnerable pupils, has yet to receive amended sanction for the required staffing and class allocation despite the programme being

application submitted by a school (details supplied) for an additional special needs assistant (SNA) allocation to support the delivery of its School-Based Summer Programme commencing on 22 June 2026; when a decision on the business case submitted by the school over a week ago is expected

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for staff cuts for the school summer programme in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44997/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of severe difficulties new protocols for the School Summer Programme is imposing on schools nationwide, particularly a Gaelscoil (details supplied). [45080/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the Summer Programme provision by 10%, 20% and 50%, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45668/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the level of staff sanctioned for the summer programme in a school (details supplied) given that the resources allocated will not cover the demand for provision and will mean the school will have

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the application window for the Summer Programme 2026 was open for a very limited time between 6 and 15 May, whereas the application window last year was open for a much longer period; her views that

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to reopen the online sanctioning portal for the summer programme to allow late applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42009/26