Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SNA posts funded in Budget 2025; the level of support this will provide in the planned new special classes and special schools for counties Wexford and Wicklow, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16947/25]

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department is taking to address the issue of some schools' SNA applications status currently unknown; the actions that have been taken to ensure that schools receive the necessary SNA support to meet the needs of students with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16948/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together.

This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.

By the end of the year there will be over 20,800 special educational teachers and 23,400 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

Allocations of special education teaching posts for the next school year have recently been provided to schools and SNA allocations will be confirmed by the NCSE to schools in the coming weeks.

We have been steadily building on the number of SNAs in our education system. At the end of the 2024 school year there was over 22,000 SNAs in schools Since 2020 the budget for special education has increased from €1.9 billion to €2.9 billion for 2025. That represents a 52% increase in the last 5 years.

Budget 2025 includes an additional 1,600 special needs assistant (SNA) posts nationwide. This is the highest ever annual increase. For the 2025/26 school year there will be over 23,000 SNA’s supporting children and young people with care needs in our education system.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 375 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 12 are in County Wexford and 12 are in County Wicklow.

This will add to the 119 and 120 special classes currently in operation in each respective county. There are also three special schools in each county.

Nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special classes they will inform parents.

My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that these children access places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as quickly as possible.

The NCSE continue to prioritise the full allocation of the additional 1,600 SNAs to schools, including to support up to 400 new special classes and 300 new special school places for this September to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of 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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine a student teacher's July provision payment (details supplied) given this teacher has not received full payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16990/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

Children and young people with complex special educational needs, as well as those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, face continuous challenges in their participation, experiences, and outcomes in education. Learning disruption often occurs during the school holiday period. The aim of the Summer Programme is to ensure that these children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

The main priority of the Summer Programme continues to be that those children with the most complex special educational needs should have access to a school-based summer programme. However, where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, the Home-based Programme is available is an alternative. Under this provision, parents can engage a tutor or a Special Needs Assistant to provide 10 hours of tuition/care support each week for 4 weeks.

In relation to the claim where it was asserted that 8 hours were unpaid, further information was sought from the parent. This information was received and payment was issued to the tutor for the 8 hours in question on 16th January 2025.

Regarding the second claim of 2 unpaid hours, the Home-based programme stipulates that tuition or care support can occur at any time during the school summer holidays, except on weekends or Bank Holidays. The 2 hours in question had been completed on the Bank Holiday in August.

The department extends its gratitude to the tutor for their patience during the resolution of the first issue. It is however important for parents, tutors, and SNAs to review their claims before submission to ensure the information is accurate. Both payment claims have been finalised, and there are no further amounts due or outstanding to the tutor.