I want to raise the summer programme in schools. As the Taoiseach knows, there has been a reduction in capitation rates this year. I have been in contact with the Department of Education and other Departments in recent weeks. They told me the summer programme has significantly expanded over the past three years. The problem is that the capitation rate in mainstream schools, which was originally €45 per week in 2023, has now gone down to €30 per week for 2024 which is a reduction of €15. Loads of schools in County Carlow have been in touch with me in regard to that. They tell me the same as the Minister has told me. The full funding of €40 million, as in previous years, is available. I welcome that the priority is children with the most complex special educational needs but we must give the €45 per week. We cannot have a reduction of €15 per week this year compared to last year. I ask the Taoiseach to work with the Minister and to try to help me with this.

I thank the Deputy for her question. As she said, the summer programme has gone from strength to strength over the years. One of the key barriers to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based programme were paid a higher personal rate of pay so that more schools would take part.

As the Deputy indicated, the capitation rate in mainstream schools was €45 per week in 2023 and the rate in 2024 is €30. We wanted to focus on those areas with the most complex needs. The capitation rate for special schools remains at €60 per week to reflect the unique circumstances of running the programme in those settings.