Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year cost to recruit ten additional WTE special educational needs organisers, in tabular form. [31479/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.

The cost of appointing 10 additional SENOs including Employer's PRSI would be in the region of €601,265 per annum, based on the mid point of the SENO salary scale.

It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. The €13 million investment announced in budget 2023 will see an increase of over 50% in overall staffing levels in the NCSE. This funding will that ensure the NCSE can continue to deliver real and meaningful supports for children, families and schools. The NCSE is currently engaged with the planning process in respect of the expanded headcount and service delivery on foot of Budget 2023 announcement. This process will establish the priorities, work program, the staffing levels required and critical path activities to be undertaken in parallel by NCSE and the Department, to give effect to the recent budgetary announcement whilst also ensuring current service delivery is maintained.