Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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406. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an SNA post for a school (details supplied) will be filled as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2181/25]

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 NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special needs assistants (SNAs).

SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into schools. They help ensure that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website.

The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office-based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited in order to observe the current deployment of SNA support in the school setting.

The NCSE has confirmed that a review was recently carried out at the school referred to by the deputy and the school will be notified this week of the outcome.

Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE will make the local special educational needs officer (SENO) available to the school to discuss the deployment of special educational supports in the local area and to discuss how to put these supports to the best advantage of its students. NCSE in-school support is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.