Clarke criticises local summer provision shortfall

Countless parents and children in Longford-Westmeath are facing a long summer without much needed provision, says Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Sorca Clarke

Deputy Clarke said: “Funding for students in special classes for Summer Programmes has been reduced from €60 per student in 2022, to €45 in 2023 and now €30 in 2024.

“This is yet another measure by government that seems to be at risk of being phased out over time.

“Parents are scrambling to find tutors wherever they can. It is a logistical nightmare for parents to organise. It is unlikely that there will be enough supply to meet demand.

“There is an unacceptable level of stress caused to parents in Longford-Westmeath where their children were not offered a place in the school summer-based programme and now must find another alternative on such short notice.

She said the party's criticism was backed up by leading stakeholders including AsIam, which said that "increased investment is simply not keeping pace with need".

She pointed out that Inclusion Ireland has said that while the budget increase is "often presented at a national level by Government to positively present its action … There is a mismatch between what is presented publicly and the lived experiences of children in our schools."; and Down Syndrome Ireland has said that the Government's recent decision to remove "complex educational needs" from the criteria for the allocation of special education teaching hours will have a "potentially devastating effect on many pupils with down syndrome" and on other children with complex disabilities.

“Sinn Féin are calling on government to take the appropriate steps now to ensure that there is more school based provision in the future.

“This cannot be kicked down the road. Children in Longford-Westmeath need appropriate supports now.”