Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants required to complete the roll-out of the new school inclusion model; if the posts have been provided for in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43544/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2020 provided for an additional 1064 Special Needs Assistants for schools next year.

Provision is therefore made for up to 17,014 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts to be allocated to primary, post primary and special schools in 2020.

This additionality will support the extended roll out of the new School Inclusion Model and ensure that students with additional needs get the right supports at the right time as well as supporting the provision of up to 1,300 new special class places.

The provision of 1064 SNA posts for 2020 significantly increases the current provision for up to 15950 SNA posts to be allocated to schools in 2019.

The number of SNAs in the school system has increased by almost 50%, from 10,575 in 2011 to over 15,900 at present.

Provision for 17,014 SNAs represents an increase of 60% since 2011.