The current structure of the summer programme for children with complex needs is not working and only a minority of schools are running it. This leaves children who desperately need it without educational and developmental support for two months, which we know is detrimental to their progress and well-being.

Despite pleas from parents, the Minister has been unwilling to change the programme so far. Responsibility for organising it is put on overstretched principals and teachers, while special needs assistants, SNAs, are disgracefully underpaid for this essential work. Last year, many of them were not paid until January for the July provision. Disgracefully, deeply worried parents have already given up on accessing the programme at all this year. Families are desperately asking for reform to ensure it is available in schools next year. I know this is a matter the Taoiseach fully supports, but will he commit to developing a new approach to ensure that all children who need it have access to a school-based summer programme?

This is a programme that the Minister is very committed to, so much so that up to €40 million is being made available to fund the programme. Forty million euro is a very significant sum of money-----

Less than 20% of students can access it.

-----which indicates a very significant degree of capacity as well. It will also address the needs of migrant students by addressing English language skills and integration. The funding provision enables schools to hire a co-ordinator or overseer for the programme, which means that principals do not have to take this role if they do not wish to do so. This position is paid at a higher rate for special schools in recognition of the greater complexity of organising the programme in the special school setting. The administrative burden for schools has been reduced by the creation of a centralised application system and by putting in place arrangements to pay staff sooner, with an online payments portal for schools. The Department has worked with schools to create better guidance documents for schools, explainer videos, webinars for schools and so forth.