Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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613. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SET hours allocated in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [22121/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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614. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the number of SET hours allocated by 5%, 10% and 20%, respectively. [22122/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 614 together.

The manner in which special education teachers/special education teaching hours are allocated to mainstream schools is set out in my Departments Circulars 0013/2019 and 0014/2019. The number of special education teachers (SETs) which have been allocated to schools has risen very significantly in recent years. The total number of SETs allocated has increased by almost 40% since 2011, from 9,740 in 2011, to over 13,624 at present. The total number of special education teachers allocated since 2018 is -

YearSpecial Education Teachers

201813,435

201913,529

202013,620

2021*13,624

Figures are at end year

*As at April 2021.

The bulk of additional allocation in any given year occurs from September onwards, for new schools or rapidly developing schools, when new enrolments are confirmed. The estimated cost of increasing the total current number of Special Education Teachers to be allocated to schools by 5% would be €40.8 Million per annum, by 10% would be €81.7 million per annum, and by 20%, would be €163.5 Million per annum, for a full year cost.