Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified teachers who were on career breaks from primary and second level schools, respectively on 1 January, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36450/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Information on the numbers of Career Breaks availed of by teachers in primary and post primary schools (excluding those employed in schools operated by Education and Training Boards) since the 2019/2020 school year is attached. This information is also available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c97fbd-teacher-statistics/#breakdown-of-career-break-by-year-sector-and-gender.

The terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers are contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7).

As per the terms of Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7) a Career Break must commence at the start of a school year. Therefore the data supplied is expressed in school years.

Breakdown of Career Break by year and sector

* This information excludes Education and Training Boards (ETBs)

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary and second level schools on 1 January, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36451/24]

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.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). Allocations are provided to schools on the basis of the school's overall profile of need.

As of the end of June 2024 there were over 21,000 SNAs allocated to schools nationwide. The total number of whole time equivalent SNA posts allocated as of 31 Dec of each of the specified years is provided in the following table.

The board of management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy and the decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.