The Government\u2019s chaotic application process for the School Summer Programme \u2013 formerly known as July Provision \u2013 has caused needless stress and anxiety for parents of children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cummins, who is the party\u2019s education spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department of Education\u2019s handling of the Summer Programme has been nothing short of shambolic. The online portal for an individual or school to apply was only open for 10 days in May, whereas there had been a two-week window in previous years.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisgracefully, some parents and schools reported not receiving correspondence from the Department to notify them that the portal for applications was open until a couple of days before the deadline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the face of rising anger from parents and political pressure, the portal reopened for just three days last week \u2013 a wholly inadequate response that was too little, too late.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is soaring demand for the programme, which provides crucial supports for children with additional needs for part of the summer holidays. Last year, more than 1,800 schools and almost 71,000 children participated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department of Education received more applications for the scheme this year across primary, post primary and special schools compared to 2025, while home-based applications also significantly increased.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven the Taoiseach has admitted there are issues within the Department of Education in relation to this programme. In the interest of schools, parents and children, it is crucial that lessons are learned from the botched handling of this year\u2019s application process.\u201d<\/p>\n
June 9, 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Government\u2019s chaotic application process for the School Summer Programme \u2013 formerly known as July Provision \u2013 has caused needless stress and anxiety for parents of children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party\u2019s education spokesperson, said: \u201cThe Department of Education\u2019s handling of the Summer Programme […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[218,581,7,678],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-jen-cummins","category-press-release","category-special-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n