James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will investigate the allocation of SNAs for a school (details supplied); if there is a mechanism available within her Department by which this school can apply for supplementary SNA support on a temporary basis while it awaits the results of impending SNA exceptional review, due to be undertaken in September; if this exceptional review can be prioritised for processing given the increased demands the school is experiencing in facilitating additional special needs pupils at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29402/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.

The NCSE is responsible for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and schools deploy SNAs in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of their students.

Any school who feels that their allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students can apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website. The NCSE has committed to ensuring these reviews are completed as quickly as possible.

In the interim the NCSE can make the local special educational needs officer (SENO) available to the school to discuss the deployment of existing supports and provide advice on how to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. NCSE in-school support is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support at any stage of the year.