Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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359. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional SENOs recruited to date, per county, in tabular form. [29888/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Since the budget announcement in 2023, in which the government provided an additional €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE, the NCSE examined the various roles and responsibilities within the organisation. This has culminated in a final workforce & organisational plan underpinning the recruitment of 160 extra staff, (a workforce increase of 50%) and guiding the transformational change in the NCSE structure, to provide more direct and responsive focus within the community.

Currently, the NCSE is undergoing this transformational change by transitioning to a new structure, while simultaneously maintaining the highest of service quality. In the new structure there will be 20 specialist teams, consisting of 120 SENOs, closely aligned with counties. This is increased from the previous 10 team structure, The SENOs are further supported by additional administrative staff, to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families, and also by a network of Specialist leads, team managers and national co-ordinators, all reporting to the head of Inclusion & Education Support Services.

This will enable an integrated community based service, which is conducive to the development of key relationships between NCSE staff, parents and schools in the provision of services to students.

There are currently 88 SENOs in place, with a further 23 commencing between July and August 2024. The remaining positions are being recruited currently through open competition, with all SENOs being in place for the new academic year.

Special Education Needs Organisers recruited to date by County – Table.