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great emphasis in the programme on well-being, wellness and connection. I hope that all the children who are participating in the summer programme are enjoying it. It was a great measure to take. It highlighted the fact that we have come a long way in terms

also SENOs, and parents are trying to deal with all of these different agencies, which is extremely difficult. Another proposal relates to the summer programme, previously the July provision. It does not fit into the mix for kids going through special education. I appreciate that the summer provision

summer programme, previously known as July provision, remains in absolute chaos. We have parents and children still wondering whether they are going to get a service this summer. We have an email address and a phone number but we do not have answers. We would like a debate

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

Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools and the Department of Education Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations Guidelines; — the extensive programme of training in place, or planned, to support schools in managing student behaviour; — the restoration of posts of responsibility in schools and the availability … area of special education to ensure that every child can reach their full potential; — support additional schools and students to benefit from the Summer Programme; and — ensure that the NCSE will continue to engage intensively with parents and all educational partners to continue to increase capacity.". I thank

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

August 2024, the autism innovation strategy was launched by the Government. Today I ask the Government to action its pledge in the programme for Government to place this strategy on a permanent legislative footing. This must be followed up with the appropriate investment and implementation. The strategy contains … assessments and multidisciplinary supports. I acknowledge the work completed to date, including one-stop shops, a €65 million investment in this year's summer programme, additional undergraduate places in therapies, and the 400 extra special classes and 300 school places sanctioned for this year. Let me be clear

want to restate this Government’s position. We are fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs and we will implement our programme for Government commitments to deliver on this objective. No cuts are or will be proposed to the provision of SNA support to children … about our children and young people with additional educational needs. We are also mindful that more nuanced and specialist supports are needed. The summer programme, previously known as July provision, has gone from strength to strength in recent years. We now have funding of €62 million to ensure

introduction of a needs-based model for access to supports in mainstream schools in 2017 and similarly for access to SNA supports and summer programmes in more recent years. While these developments have strengthened access to supports, I recognise that diagnosis continues to play an important role

occupational therapists into mainstream schools. I am also pleased to say that we have secured continuing funding of €92 million for the summer programme, more than double what it was just four years ago. As Members all know, October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and this year the theme

following redeployment and the loss of seniority. SNAs receive no additional payment for State examinations, no extra personal vacation, EPV, days for the summer programme and no allowances for working in special schools, DEIS schools or Gaelscoileanna. At the same time, they remain excluded from important decision-making

school bus drivers. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the failure to provide necessary supports for children with additional needs in the summer programme. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the reimbursement of a drug

within their schools and communities. We will reflect on those points. As well as that, we want to make sure that the summer programme is a hugely important and embedded piece in special education and disadvantaged education now and into the future. We must be open

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

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

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

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the roll out of the summer programme in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42036/26

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to reopen the Summer Programme applications due to the short notice of the deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42104/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the budget for the Summer Programme in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the number of students who participated in each of these years in the primary, post-primary, home-based programme and the school-based programme

Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide details of supports or funding available for a 2026 youth summer programme in Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42232/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the application window for the Summer Programme 2026 was open for a very limited period between 6th and 15th of May, whereas the application window last year was open for a much longer period

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total funding for the Summer Programme in each of the years from 2023 to date in 2026; the number of students who participated in each of these years in the primary, post-primary, home-based programme

Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that a pupil (details supplied) who missed the deadline for applying for the 2026 home-based summer programme to support the education or care needs of students with complex needs by one day will be allowed to participate within the programme

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the schools running the summer programme for children with additional needs in Kildare each year from 2023 onwards; the number of Kildare children who benefitted from same; and if she will make a statement on the matter

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