Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if each school will be allocated at least the same number of SNA hours for the 2020-2021 academic year they had for 2019/2020; if so, the reason a school (details supplied) was notified of a loss of SNA hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12705/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 2 April I announced the deferral of the roll out of the new frontloaded model of SNA allocations to mainstream classes which was to be introduced in the 2020/21 school year as part of the phased roll out of the School Inclusion Model (SIM). 

The 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations were frozen on 24 April 2020, the date circular 30/2020 issued, and automatically rolled over to the 2020/21 school year. This means that no school received a mainstream SNA allocation for 2020/21 of less than that which they had for the 2019/20 school year on the date the circular issued.

SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not impacted by this model of allocation and continue to be allocated, by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in the normal way. There is a prescribed special class to SNA ratio.

Circumstances may arise where this level of support is not sufficient to meet the care needs of the cohort of students enrolled. In such circumstances, the school may apply to the NCSE for access to additional care supports, clearly outlining the reason why the additional support is necessary.

As this question relates to a particular school, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.