Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Cork schools that had their SEN or SNA allocation reduced in 2024. [45727/24]

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 has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs and schools should liaise directly with the NCSE in the event that additional supports are required.

It is important to remember that the Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation Model distributes the total number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need. This ensures that supports are available where and when students require them e.g. if a child moves school or as students leave to progress to post-primary level.

Overall Cork schools received an increase of 376 SET hours per week for this school year. 161 schools received an additional 1,293 hours per week (8 hours per school on average). 157 schools saw a reduction of 917 hours (approximately 6 hours on average). This reduction in hours relates primarily to reduced enrolments in primary schools in the county. 101 schools saw no change in their allocation.

In relation to the SNA figures I have forwarded your query to the NCSE who will reply directly.

In 2024, the number of special education teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase by 744 and 1,216 respectively. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children. This figure will be built on as Budget 2025 provides for a further 768 special education teachers and 1,600 SNAs posts meaning there will be close to 44,000 dedicated special education professionals in our education system.

It is open to all schools to apply for a review of their SET or SNA allocation if it feels its allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Local special education needs organisers (SENOs) are available to advise and assist schools with the review process and to offer advice and support as required.