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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

both in Navan. Additionally, ten schools, including six in Meath West are approved to undergo works as part of the climate action summer works programme this summer. These projects are in addition to the €473 million investment in capital funding since 2020 for schools in County Meath. Some

SNAs, doubled the number of special classes, opened 16 new special schools in the last five years and massively increased investment in the summer programme, which has seen a threefold increase in its budget. To say that the Government is not funding resources for children with special educational

right through the system is something that we have to accept. We are going to continue to support children through the expanded summer programme, which has become a lifeline for families; a comprehensive review of the assistive technology to ensure we are using the best possible tools available

duplex defects remediation Bill is progressing. Various issues requiring legal advice are under consideration. The Bill is included in the Government legislation summer programme and I intend to seek Government approval to publish it shortly. The general scheme will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny

third level institutions, whereby students who are training have an opportunity to go into CDNTs or a special school for the summer programme and have access to, and experience of, working with children with additional needs or adults who have disabilities. The number of training places in higher

multiplied by two, three and ten for parents of children with special educational needs. The Topical Issue I submitted is about the summer provision programme. While the summer provision scheme obviously cannot be precisely the same as school, it is meant to offer a certain amount of continuity … year it was open in May. A lot of parents who are looking to avail of summer provision do not have the opportunity. They are being offered a home-based programme, but that is only for ten hours per week for four weeks compared to either

facilities such as playing facilities, AstroTurf pitches, renewal of grass surfaces and changing room facilities for voluntary schools. There are some great programmes in the summer works scheme and other newer schemes to do with climate action and preparing buildings for climate change, which are welcome. There … mechanism for that at the moment. Will the Government consider in the medium term putting a scheme together, similar to the summer works programme, in which schools can apply for funding for sports facilities and renewal of sports facilities? I am not talking about capital in the sense

towards 1,000 pupils but there are no plans for that. As far as I know, the school is not in the summer work programme either, so it will not get any supports during the summer. Schools like St. Kevin's in a disadvantaged areas need to have

providing enormous funding for the summer education programme and so on. There have to be limits to Government expenditure. Local authorities have been supporting summer camps on a local basis. I think that, in Cork city, it has been going on for 40-odd years that we have … allocated funding to local summer camps organised by community associations and so on. There are limits to what the State can do in all of these scenarios. We have prioritised education, and special education in particular. Under that programme, there are also supports for particular communities in which

million into ICT in schools. The minor works programme can be availed of for the purposes of works in schools. The summer works programme, which is very popular, ensures works can be done over a short period of time while schools are out on holiday

increase of €42 to €446 at post-primary level, an increase of 10%. An additional €2 million will support the DEIS plus programme and €3 million of funding is being provided for an additional 100 home school community liaison co-ordinators to improve outcomes for children at risk … projects across the school estate, including additional accommodation and modernisation for special education. A second tranche of projects under a climate action summer works programme will also be advanced. Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The frontier of technological innovation is moving at an unprecedented pace

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

Cork under construction. This summer we have 35 schools which were approved to undergo works as part of the climate action summer works programme. In addition, since 2020, 306 special classes have been sanctioned in Cork, and the Minister of State beside me is very aware of this

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

would like to raise the case of Youghalarra National School in Newtown in relation to its summer works programme funding which came from the Department of education. It was a very useful grant and was for the installation of a 608 sq. m ball court. However, to have

schools in particular, that the Minister of State would be able to engage with the Minister for education to see if the summer works programme can be changed so that, although the funding is not coming from the Minister of State's Department, it is very much sport

thank the Minister of State for his statement, although, unfortunately, I did not hear it. The Bill is not in the summer legislative programme. We have not had any pre-legislative scrutiny, which is a missed opportunity. We should have had more time to hear from the planning

first time the roll-out of the summer version of the hot school meals, what we are calling a summer meals programme. Women going into the pharmacy to access HRT see that it has been made free in the last number of weeks. Student grant payments will increase

told the cost could be up to €2,000. Perhaps that is something the Minister could consider. We are aware of the summer works programme and all the other things, but a lot of work is required. That issue needs to be considered for schools. Most schools

next tranche of approvals is due this coming October for summer 2027. Drawing on experience from the Department's pathfinder programme, the new summer works scheme includes several climate action measures. Schools applying for the scheme select their preferred project category. There are ten categories of projects supported

Ballyfermot Youth Service in resilience and effectiveness funding. The service also received over €28,000 in 2025 as part of the summer holiday meals pilot programme, which supported the provision of meals to young people during the summer period. Further funding was allocated to Ballyfermot Youth Service under … high-level allocations are confirmed, a specific timeline for the release of the final detailed breakdown of the youth affairs schemes and programmes is not yet available. Work is continuing within the Department to finalise these allocations and they will be issued as soon as possible. There

Ireland, grow our economy, foster regional development, deliver on our housing commitments, meet social needs and achieve our very ambitious climate goals. The programme for Government sets out an extensive range of new actions in relation to infrastructure and housing in particular, building on the progress achieved … represent value for money. There will be an updating of the NDP in the early months of this year, out to the summer. Equally, the programme for Government sets out our ambition to accelerate housing supply, recognising housing as a major social and economic challenge. The programme sets

want to mention as well that the facility has a programme for young people and children with disabilities. It has a cycling programme on every summer, which I think is highly commendable

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 Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she intends to publish full details of the 2026 July Summer Programme for children with special educational needs; the reason for the delay in issuing this information to schools and families; the steps being taken to ensure

Education and Youth if full payment can be made to a person (details supplied) for hours worked under the 2025 Home Based Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8534/26

Minister for Education and Youth the reason for the delay in issuing payment to a person (details supplied) under the home-based summer programme; when payment can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65984/25

Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is taking any steps to streamline the application process for the summer programme for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40215/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first- and full-year estimated cost of expanding the summer programme by 2% up to 10%. [39859/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first- and full-year cost of expanding the summer programme by 2% up to a maximum of 20%. [39934/25

Minister for Education and Youth when a decision will be made on an appeal for a child (details supplied) for the home-based summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36384/25

when additional home support or day service hours will be granted to a child (details supplied) as part of the HSE summer programme, and thereafter on an ongoing basis; if consideration has been given to the urgent need as outlined in recent assessments; and if she will make

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of increasing the free-of-charge summer programme for students with special education needs to provide a place for every child with special educational needs across the State. [31572/25

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost to increase funding for the summer programme by 15% by first year, full year and school year cost, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29911/25

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. [28237/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to expand the summer programme to allow schools to apply for upgrade works to playgrounds, pitches and AstroTurf pitches that may need repair and or upgrading; the timeframe on any such grants

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide adequate staffing levels and funding for the urgently required expansion of the summer programme in special schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16229/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to urgently examine and proposal in regard to a pilot summer programme in respect of a special school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14792/25

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education when the details of the Summer programme for 2025 will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13091/25

Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to examine the unacceptable delays in issuing sanction letters for the Home Based Summer Provision Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53660/26

Climate, Energy and the Environment if the transposition of Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791 will occur within the Summer Legislative Programme 2026, as it is not named within the programme, and if a specific timeline of its transposition can be provided. [51607/26

Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to address the ongoing lack of clarity surrounding the 2026 summer provision programme, particularly in relation to delays in issuing home-based sanctions, guidance to schools on staffing and enrolment numbers, and the potential financial implications

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he is aware of changes to a summer sports programmes coach revenue assessments (details supplied); and the impact this is having on camps in Cork. [43415/26

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the 2026 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp Programme for DEIS primary schools does not include SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44109/26

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

Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the schools that were awarded funding through the 2026 summer works programme in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21277/26

Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the schools that were awarded funding through the 2026 summer works programme in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11051/26