Written answers

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Staff

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants currently employed by the State; the full year cost of employing these special needs assistants; the estimated cost of increasing the number of special needs assistants by 1,450; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12153/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that recent years have seen an increase in the number of SNAs from 10,575 posts in 2011, to 12,040 to June 2016. In the same period the number of children accessing SNA support has grown from approximately 22,000 to some 30,000 by the end of 2015.

This is a higher level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support than ever before, which ensures that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.

Of the 12,040 posts available to the NCSE to allocate to schools for the 2015/16 school year, 11,973 whole time equivalent posts have been allocated to schools by the NCSE, while the NCSE continues to allocate posts to schools, where needed, to the end of the school year.

The increase in SNA numbers has been supported by a very significant increase in the Budget for SNAs, rising from €332 million in 2011, to €402 million at present.

The full year cost of providing an additional 1,450 SNA posts would be approximately €43.5m per year.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2016/17 school year by 29th February 2016.

The NCSE continues to accept applications in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed. The NCSE will consider these applications and make further allocations to schools in respect of valid applications which have been received to September.

The NCSE is currently assessing demand for SNA support for the coming school year and will advise all schools of their allocations for SNA support for 2016/17, before the end of the current school year.

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