Foley denies cut in schools' summer programme funding

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024 - 18:38

Michelle McGlynn

Education Minister Norma Foley has denied claims that funding for the schools' summer programme has been cut.

The ASTI said that funding has been reduced for schools providing summer programmes for vulnerable students — including those with complex special needs.

It said that the reduction of a capitation grant from €45 per student last year to €30 per student this year is shocking.

"This cut to funding affects the most vulnerable students in our education system. This is shocking and grossly unfair," ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said.

This cut is mean-spirited and harks back to the period of austerity that we all thought we had put behind us in recent years.

"It seems the austerity mindset remains," Mr Christie said.

In response, Ms Foley said there has been "no cut whatsoever in the overall funding", but rather there has been a change in how the money is distributed.

Ms Foley said that the capitation funding per pupil in a special school remains the same, but the figure per pupil in a mainstream school has returned to the 2022 allocation.

The decision was made after an annual review found that it was difficult to get enough staff to run the programme, because teachers would not be paid their personal rate as they would during term time.

"If we don't have the staff, we can't run the summer school," Ms Foley said.

However, now the department is in a position to offer staff payment at their personal rate.

"Consequently, that has facilitated more staff — members of the ASTI and other unions — coming and making themselves available to run these summer courses.

In fact, we have an 85% increase in our special school staff making themselves available.

"We are seeing year-on-year a greater increase."

Ms Foley was speaking at the launch of the updated procedure for the use of school buildings and school sports facilities outside of school hours, which she hopes will benefit schools and communities alike.

Whether it is after-school clubs, night classes, or a place for sports teams to practice, this is an invitation to schools to share their facilities with the community, she said.

"It is really about sharing with the community, because benefit we enormously from the goodwill of the community," Ms Foley said.

Data on the availability of school facilities will be made available to the public, and groups are encouraged to approach their local school to discuss working together on the matter.

Any revenue gained from the use of school grounds and facilities will go directly back into the school themselves and will not impact any funding provided by the Department of Education.

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