To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) whether any assessment has been made of the ability of special schools to recruit sufficient staff to operate summer schemes; (ii) the number of special schools who have advised (a) his Department; or (ii) the Education Authority, that they were unable to offer their desired number of summer scheme places due to staffing constraints; and (iii) any support available to assist special schools in recruiting staff for summer schemes.

(i) The EA has advised that it has provided support to special schools in recruiting staff for summer schemes through a number of measures. Staffing audits were undertaken with schools to identify any vacancies or shortfalls in provision. Where shortages were identified, details were shared with human resources, to enable deployment of available classroom assistants across those schools that required them. In addition, training was provided to staff participating in summer schemes to ensure they were appropriately prepared for their roles.

(ii) Summer schemes in special schools are an operational matter for the EA and it has advised that all schools maintained their 2025 allocation of places. In one instance, a staffing shortfall was identified; this was resolved through the redeployment of 52week classroom assistants from neighbouring schools to ensure continuity of provision.

(iii) The EA has advised that it has worked to ensure there are EA staff available across the summer to help address any unforeseen absences that might arise during any of the summer schemes. This will aid to minimise disruption to programme delivery.