793. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the roll out of the summer programme in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42036/26]

Details of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated to all schools on the 6th May 2026.

All schools, including schools in Mayo, have been offered the opportunity to run a school-based programme for children with the most complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where a school does not intend to run a school-based programme or there is no place on the programme for an eligible child, schools were invited to make an application for the home-based programme.

As communicated to all schools at the outset, it is intended that schools will be engaged with on an individual basis in the week commencing the 25th May. During that period, schools are to receive a follow-up email confirming the number of pupils approved to participate in this year’s programme, along with their school’s assigned staffing allocation. This approach ensures that each school receives clear, tailored information to assist with effective planning. As post primary schools were approaching the end of term, these schools were prioritised and engaged with first. Sanction letters for all primary schools who applied are currently issuing.

The application portals for both the school-based and the home-based programmes were open in parallel from the 6th May to the 15th May to reflect a shorter timeframe. Having listened to the concerns of schools who wanted to apply after the deadline and to ensure that families are not left without support, the application portals were reopened from 2nd June to the 5th June inclusive.