Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan have announced details of the 2025 Summer Programme, and encouraged schools to participate.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged to continue to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
As announced in Budget 2025, €62 million will be invested in this year’s Summer Programme allowing it to continue to run in line with how it has been implemented over the past three years.
Like in previous years, this year’s programme features the Primary School Scheme for pupils in primary mainstream schools, the DEIS-expanded Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp for pupils in DEIS schools, a post-primary scheme, a home-based programme, and a pilot Special School Programme aimed at supporting special schools.
This year, a Holiday Hunger pilot project will be implemented by utilising the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme and the Department of Education’s Summer Programme. Schools eligible for the School Meals programme will be able to make meals available for the Summer Programme.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“Addressing child poverty is a key priority for me, and the stark reality of children living with hunger serves as a powerful reminder of how poverty can deeply impact young lives. Our Summer Programme is a central part of how we support and protect our most vulnerable children. This year, we’re further strengthening that commitment by extending free school meals to the Programme. This ensures that schools can continue their focus on nurturing students’ learning, well-being, and creativity, while families can be assured their children will receive nutritious meals throughout the summer.”
Speaking at a visit to Paradise Place Educate Together National School in Dublin 7, Minister for Education Helen McEntee said:
“Providing a Summer Programme for children and young people with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage is vital to ensuring they have access to the necessary supports and tools to fully engage in their education and enhance their wellbeing. It is widely recognised that interacting with their peers assists children and young people to learn a variety of important social and emotional skills.
“I urge all schools to consider how they can best implement the Summer Programme for their students, and I particularly encourage more special schools and DEIS schools to take part in this valuable initiative.
“Schools will have access to a variety of supports to facilitate them in running a programme this summer. It is evident how much the Summer Programme has benefited both the children and the schools and staff taking part.
“It is wonderful to see the increase in both the number of children and young people taking part in the Summer Programme and the number of schools offering it, which has increased significantly since the Summer Programme was expanded in 2020. The success is largely due to the dedicated efforts of school staff who have worked tirelessly to create a sense of connection and belonging among the children within their school community. Thanks to everyone involved in making these programmes a success and I wish them well for Summer Programme 2025.”
Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan said:
“The Summer Programme has flourished in recent years and will be supported by an investment of €62 million this year. Last year, the Summer Programme benefitted over 58,000 students alone. We also saw a 85 per cent increase in the number of Special Schools taking part, compared with 2 years ago. I’m delighted to share the details of this year’s Programme.
“In the past, the Summer Programme has made a real difference to the children taking part and their families. It is not just about improving their well-being and learning; it is also about boosting their self-confidence and helping them to develop new friendships. For parents of children with special educational needs, the Summer Programme is also an important support, often giving the child their first experience taking part in an organised summer activity.
“I am also delighted to share that this year’s Summer Programme includes an option for participating primary and special schools to provide school meals during their Summer Programmes. This is a joint pilot between the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Education, and it is a key initiative of the government in trying to combat holiday hunger.
“In addition to teaching staff and special needs assistants who take part in the programme, I’m pleased to see the inclusion of schools being able to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer, as well as the Route 5 undergraduate student teachers. It is also great to see that, if required, schools can recruit other external workers such as early child care workers, carers and other students in relevant areas such as therapy, nursing and social care to take part in their programme. This will hopefully provide another boost to the programme.
“Just like Minister McEntee, I encourage all schools to participate this year as the programme is transformative for children with complex special educational needs. Schools are always keen to share their positive experiences with the Programme and there is more support available now than ever before.”
Summer Programme schemes
Special School Pilot Scheme
It is a priority that more children in special schools have access to a school-based programme.
This year, the Special School Programme continues as a pilot initiative to ensure there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.
The Special School Pilot programme is designed to ensure supports are targeted to:
- enhance the availability of school based programmes in special schools
- coordinate and support children’s access to such a programme
- assist with the identification of staffing needs and resources
- reduce the administrative burden associated with leading and managing a school-based programme
For special schools, a Summer Programme National Coordinator is again appointed.
This person will continue to liaise with schools, the department and education centres to facilitate the organisation of programmes.
A portal will again be available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on such programmes.
The length of the day is reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm but the same daily rate will be paid to staff taking part. This again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.
In order to reflect the unique circumstances that arise in a special school during the summer months, additional grant funding of €2,000 will be provided for each week that a special school provides a school-based Summer Programme.
The Special School Scheme can run for two to five weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.
Primary School schemes
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level:
- the Primary School Scheme for pupils in mainstream primary schools, which provides one cohesive scheme, combining the Inclusion programme and special classes
- the DEIS-expanded Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp/Campa Samhraidh for pupils in DEIS schools. This is available to all schools in the DEIS scheme, including those that received their new DEIS status in September 2022
The Primary School Scheme replaces and integrates both the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from previous years into one cohesive special educational needs scheme for mainstream primary schools.
The Primary School Scheme can run for two to four weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.
Schools can form groups of up to 12 pupils supported by one teacher and one SNA. There is no limit on the number of groups participating in a school. However, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year. For example, groups can consist of up to six pupils with complex needs, with other remaining places being allocated to pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Primary School Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.
If there are more than six children with complex needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.
Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating pupils have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.
To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie or contact the department’s helpline on 09064 84292.
Post-Primary Scheme
The Post-Primary Scheme can run for two weeks anytime during the school summer holidays.
Schools can form groups of up to 12 students supported by one teacher and one SNA. This year, the limit on the number of groups based on school size has been removed.
However, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year.
For example, groups can consist of up to six students with complex needs with other remaining places being allocated to students at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Post-Primary Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.
If there are more than six students with complex special educational needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.
Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating students have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.
To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie or contact the department’s helpline on 09064 84292.
Home-Based Programme
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based or alternative programme is unavailable, children and young people with complex special educational needs will be able to apply for the Home-based programme.
Details of the home-based programme will be published at a later date, as in previous years. However, in recognition of the department’s preference for summer programmes to transact in a class-setting, the department can facilitate group providers to participate in the home-based programme. To this end, the department welcomes expression of interest from prospective providers.
Summer Programme Participation rates 2022 – 2024
| Scheme type | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||
| * | Schools | Children | Schools | Children | Schools | Children |
| Primary School Scheme | 494 | 12722 | 886 | 17695 | 1095 | 22906 |
| Special School Scheme | 39 | 1408 | 59 | 2437 | 72 | 3267 |
| DEIS L&N Summer Camp | 260 | 11211 | 336 | 14498 | 365 | 15791 |
| Post-Primary Scheme | 117 | 2787 | 160 | 3830 | 203 | 5274 |
| Home-based Scheme | – | 13883 | – | 12772 | – | 12100 |
| Total | 1290 | 42011 | 1441 | 51232 | 1735 | 59338 |
Supports for schools
A number of supports are in place to assist schools in running the Summer Programme this year. These include:
- contracted teachers and special needs assistants will be paid their personal rate of pay
- while the role of Summer Programme Organiser must be allocated to one specific teacher, the role of Summer Programme Manager can be shared between teachers in a school
- there is provision for schools to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer as well as the undergraduate student teachers who have registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5
- substitute teachers, SNAs, newly qualified teachers and Route 5 undergraduate student teachers will be paid their standard substitution rates
- schools can also recruit other external workers such as early child care workers, carers and other students in relevant areas such as therapy, nursing and social care to take part in their programme. There will be a separate portal for special schools for this purpose
- an online portal will be available to schools to submit payment claims to simplify the process. Claims will be entered by a Data Entry Person and approved by an Approver at school level under the direction of the school’s Summer Programme Manager
- as in 2024, claims will be automated and paid directly to individual teachers and SNAs when fully completed claims are received from schools, significantly reducing the payment timeframes of previous years. In 2024, the majority of claims submitted by staff in schools were paid by the end of August
- training and guidance will be provided to schools and their organisers. This will be facilitated through online training
An online registration portal will be available for schools on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
When schools register for the Summer Programme they will receive an email specifying the staffing resources that have been allocated to them. Schools will have the facility to appeal resource allocations.
The deadline date for registration is 11 April 2025.
Further details and updates on this programme, including available supports and how schools can apply, are available at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
