Press release
Ministers Foley and Madigan encourage all primary, post-primary and special schools to participate in the 2024 Summer Programme
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Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan today announced details of the 2024 Summer Programme.
The Programme will see all schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged to continue to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
As announced in Budget 2024, €40 million will be invested in this year’s Summer Programme – allowing it to continue to run in line with how it has been delivered over the past three years.
Speaking at a visit to St. Finian’s College, Mullingar, Minister for Education Norma Foley said:
“Summer provision for children and young people with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage is central to helping to ensure equity of opportunity in education, as well as the promotion of engagement in education and wellbeing. It is widely acknowledged that interactions with peers play a pivotal role in the development of children and young people, providing a unique context in which children learn a range of critical social emotional skill.
“It is fantastic to see that the number of children and young people participating in summer provision, as well as the number of schools offering it, has increased significantly since the Summer Programme scheme was introduced in 2021.This is with credit to the work of staff who help to strengthen the sense of connection and belonging children feel in their school community.
“I am pleased beyond measure to now be announcing details of the Summer Programme for 2024. This year’s programme includes the Primary School Scheme for pupils in primary mainstream schools, the DEIS-expanded Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp for pupils in DEIS schools, a post-primary scheme, home-based programme and a pilot Special School Programme designed to ensure a focus on supporting special schools.
“I encourage all school communities to explore how best they can offer this programme to their students. They will have access to a wide range of supports to assist them in facilitating the provision. Having previously observed these enjoyable and inclusive programmes in action, it is clear how much the children and the entire school community benefit significantly. I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in making these programmes successful and wish them well for Summer Programme 2024.”
Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan said:
"The Summer Programme has grown from strength to strength supported by a €40 million investment. Last year’s Programme benefitted over 50,000 students and saw a 50 per cent increase in the number of Special Schools participating. I’m delighted to announce the details of this year’s Programme which will build on that success.
“The Summer Programme makes a real difference to children and their parents. It enhances the well-being and learning of children, it increases their self-confidence and broadens their friendships. It’s also an important support for parents of children with special educational needs, for many it’s their child’s first participation in an organised summer activity.
“The transformative pilot Special Schools Programme will continue this year and I have introduced a new Special School Student Teacher Placement as part of that. Placements can run from the 3rd week in May to the end of the Programme, greatly benefitting schools during this busy period. Special Schools can recruit up to two graduate teachers and final year PME student teachers, bolstering the capacity of schools to deliver the programme.
“This year also sees an exciting new partnership between a special school in Kerry and Munster Technological University (MTU). MTU’s campus will host a Summer Programme, where the special school teaching staff will be supported by university students to deliver the Programme.
“I would encourage all schools to participate this year, the outcomes can be truly transformative for students. Schools are always eager to share their positive experiences of delivering the Programme and there has never been more support available to do so.”
It is a priority that more children in special schools have access to a school-based programme.
This year, the Special School Programme continues as a pilot initiative to ensure there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.
The Special School Pilot programme is designed to ensure supports are targeted to:
- enhance the availability of school based programmes in special schools
- coordinate and support children’s access to such a programme
- assist with the identification of staffing needs and resources
- reduce the administrative burden associated with leading and managing a school-based programme
For special schools, a Summer Programme National Coordinator is again appointed.
This person will continue to liaise with schools, the department and education centres to facilitate the organisation of programmes.
A portal will again be available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on such programmes.
The length of the day is reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm but the same daily rate will be paid to staff taking part. This again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.
In order to reflect the unique circumstances that arise in a special school during the summer months, additional grant funding of €2,000 will be provided for each week that a special school provides a school-based Summer Programme.
The Special School Scheme can run for two to five weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level:
- the Primary School Scheme for pupils in mainstream primary schools, which provides one cohesive scheme, combining the Inclusion programme and special classes
- the DEIS-expanded Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp/Campa Samhraidh for pupils in DEIS schools. This is available to all schools in the DEIS scheme, including those that received their new DEIS status in September 2022
The Primary School Scheme replaces and integrates both the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from previous years into one cohesive special educational needs scheme for mainstream primary schools.
The Primary School Scheme can run for two to four weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.
Schools can form groups of up to 12 pupils supported by one teacher and one SNA. There is no the limit on the number of groups participating in a school. However, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year. For example, groups can consist of up to six pupils with complex needs, with other remaining places being allocated to pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Primary School Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.
If there are more than six children with complex needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.
Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating pupils have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.
To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie or contact the department’s helpline on 09064 84292.
The Post-Primary Scheme can run for two weeks anytime during the school summer holidays.
Schools can form groups of up to 12 students supported by one teacher and one SNA. This year, the limit on the number of groups based on school size has been removed.
However, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year.
For example, groups can consist of up to six students with complex needs with other remaining places being allocated to students at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Post-Primary Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.
If there are more than six students with complex special educational needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.
Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating students have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.
To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie or contact the department’s helpline on 09064 84292.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based or alternative programme is unavailable, children and young people with complex special educational needs will be able to apply for the Home-based programme.
Details of the home-based programme will be published at a later date, as in previous years. However, in recognition of the department’s preference for summer programmes to transact in a class-setting, the department can facilitate group provider to participate in the home-based programme. To this end, the department welcomes expression of interest from perspective providers.
A number of supports are in place to assist schools in running the Summer Programme this year. These include:
- contracted teachers and special needs assistants will be paid their personal rate of pay
- while the role of Summer Programme Organiser must be allocated to one specific teacher, the role of Summer Programme Manager can be shared between teachers in a school
- there is provision for schools to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer as well as the undergraduate student teachers who have registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5
- substitute teachers, SNAs, newly qualified teachers and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers will be paid their standard substitution rates
- schools can also recruit other external workers such as early child care workers, carers and other students in relevant areas such as therapy, nursing and social care to take part in their programme. There will be a separate portal for special schools for this purpose
- an online portal will be available to schools to submit payment claims to simplify the process. Claims will be entered by a Data Entry Person and approved by an Approver at school level under the direction of the school’s Summer Programme Manager
- as in 2023, claims will be automated and paid directly to individual teachers and SNAs when fully completed claims are received from schools, significantly reducing the payment timeframes of previous years. In 2023, the majority of claims submitted by staff in schools were paid by the end of August
- training and guidance will be provided to schools and their organisers. This will be facilitated through online training
An online registration portal will be available for schools on gov.ie/summerprogramme.
When schools register for the Summer Programme they will receive an email specifying the staffing resources that have been allocated to them. Schools will have the facility to appeal resource allocations.
The deadline date for registration is 26 April.
Further details and updates on this programme, including available supports and how schools can apply, are available at gov.ie/summerprogramme.