James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the question and giving me the opportunity to reassure him and the House that the Department of Education and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. Additional teaching and SNA resources are being provided in budget 2025 to ensure a record number of SETs and SNAs in schools in 2025, supporting children with additional needs. I gave the figures in my earlier remarks on the increases during this term of office.

The NCSE has progressed the recruitment of additional special educational needs organisers, advisers and team managers. This will ensure that schools can expect an improved level of engagement and support from the NCSE for this school year. The number of SENOs has increased from 65 to 120 at the start of this school year, and SENOs are now out in the schools, holding planning meetings. This will ensure strong relationships can be built and the NCSE intends to conduct up to 800 of these school planning visits by the end of this month alone. These meetings will consider the resource and training needs of the school, and they represent a welcome and positive two-way engagement between the schools and the NCSE through the SENOs. I am sure those additional resources will be very helpful.