Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants and special needs teachers working under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38923/24]

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.

In 2024, the number of special education teaching posts has been increased and an additional 744 posts have been allocated to schools nationwide, this means there is currently in excess of 14,600 special education teachers supporting children in our mainstream schools and over 5,000 teachers in special classes and special schools nationwide.

In addition, the number of SNA posts in our schools has increased. An additional 1,216 SNAs posts are available for allocation by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) this year. This will mean we will have over 21,900 SNA posts available to our schools to support the care needs of students with special educational needs.

As the decision to fill a newly created/allocated post with a full-time or part time employee can vary, the figures above are representative of whole time equivalent posts.