1124. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Youth if changes have been made to the SNA allocation to DEIS summer camps/campa samhraidh, in particular those on the islands (details supplied); and if so, the rationale behind this. [60164/26]

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

DEIS Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camps are designed to support pupils who are experiencing social or academic difficulties in language and numeracy. As SNAs are not allocated to Summer Camps, schools are asked to carefully consider each pupil’s individual needs.

Where a child requires the support of an SNA to participate safely and meaningfully, the Primary School Scheme (where support is provided) should be considered as the more appropriate option.

Pupils may take part in one school-based programme only or in the home-based programme. This ensures that places are used to their fullest and that as many pupils as possible can access support under the Summer Programme.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, department officials did engage directly with the school to ensure that each eligible child continued to be supported under the Summer Programme. This included the sanctioning of an additional SNA required by the school to run their Summer Programme.