Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A quarter of the Department of Education's budget is spent on special education, which is a 50% increase since 2011 and, in the same timeframe, we have seen a 90% increase in the number of SNAs. The change to the new front-loaded allocation model for SNAs is of critical importance. For any child any new model, whether it is special schools or classes, special education and SNAs, must ensure that no parent has to fight again to secure the right supports for their child.

A recent update has informed me that work is ongoing on next year's allocation of SNAs. This will include discussions with educational partners and the work will be concluded shortly. However, there is a palpable anxiety about any possible change. There is anxiety around what is needed for September 2022 and the fact that demand is growing. Representatives of one school have told me that the number of children accessing support has increased by 30%, that they have extra class teachers and special education teaching assistants but no additional SNA access, and that the school has had three exceptional reviews refused.

In terms of the change and the front-loaded model, SNAs will be automatically provided based on a school's profile. From reports in 2019 this was based on disadvantaged areas, gender breakdown and the outcomes of standardised tests. Subsequently, I have found out that the model includes a graduated allocation that takes into account the level of need in each school. Therefore, it is not just school profiles alone that are analysed. Even though no diagnosis is necessary I believe that the model includes where a child receives a diagnosis after the allocation has been granted to a school or where there are newly enrolled pupils. Such a situation results in a lot of questions and we need to debate the new model so that we can give confidence or highlight concerns.