Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the estimated first- and full-year cost of increasing the number of special needs assistants by 5%, 10% and 20%, in tabular form. [14122/24]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the cost of increasing the salary of special needs assistants, in mainstream schools and special classes respectively, by 1%, 2% and 5%, in tabular form. [14123/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

In 2023, €2.6 billion was spent on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

In 2024, the number of SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 1,216 SNAs posts available for allocation by the NCSE. This will mean we will have over 21,900 SNA posts available to our schools to support the care needs of pupils with special educational needs.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.

SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

The estimated annual cost of a new entrant SNA post is €32,740 and the average salary cost of an SNA post (including employer PRSI) is €40,860.

Based on an allocation of 21,900 SNA posts, the full-year cost of increasing the number of special needs assistants by 5%, 10% and 20%, is as follows.

The approximate cost of increasing the salary of special needs assistants by 1%, 2% and 5%, is as follows.

If these changes were introduced for the start of a school year, the costs would be approximately one third of the full year costs in the initial calendar year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.