There will be a four-fold increase in the number of students eligible to participate in this year’s summer programme, focused on children and teenagers with special and complex needs. For the first time, all schools in the State will be allowed to host a summer programme, including special schools which already ran the programme. The total number of students eligible for the 2021 summer programme will be more than 81,000. Previously, specific summer provision programmes were available primarily to young people in special schools and special classes. The budget for the 2021 programme is also being doubled, rising to €40 million compared with €20 million last year.

Source: The Irish Times May 11, 2021 00:00 UTC