Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the SNA allocations for the academic year beginning September 2024 will be made known; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25917/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Circular 0049/2024 was published on the department's website on 29 May 2024 and it confirmed to schools their special needs assistant (SNA) allocation for the 2024/25 school year. The circular is available on gov.ie.

This circular outlines that in relation to the allocation of SNA support for students in mainstream classes for 2024/25 the following arrangements will apply:

a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2024 will be the initial allocation for the 2024/2025 school year.

b) Where a school identifies a significant increase in care needs, additional resources can be provided to support the school, following a request for review by the school with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

c) A process for schools where they consider their SNA allocation to be in excess of the required care needs will be administered through the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE special educational needs organiser (SENO) to commence this process.

Following the publication of the circular the NCSE undertook to inform each school individually of their SNA allocation for the 2024/25 school year. When this process is complete the NCSE will update their website with the list of SNA allocations for the 2024/25 school year.

Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website.

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.