Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education Josepha Madigan announced a summer education programme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage for summer 2022.
Building on the successful 2021 programme, all schools (primary and post-primary) will once again be encouraged to provide summer programmes including post-primary children with complex needs and children at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Inclusion Programme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students who have recently arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The programme’s aims are to support pupils to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote well-being and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.
Up to €40 million is available to fund the programme in line with that available in 2021 and is seen as a measure relating to the continued impact of COVID-19 on schools and families during the 2021/22 school year.
Today’s announcement marks a recognition of the value of such school-based programmes for children with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools.
Further details on the schemes and how schools can apply will be made available over the coming period at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. Specific information will be provided to schools for parents and distributed directly through social media and relevant organisations.
Pupils with complex needs who have transport provided on the Special Educational Needs School Transport Scheme during the school year and are attending the school-based programme in either a primary or a special school will be provided with transport.