Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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858. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals to the NCSE, by county; and the number of successful appeals over each of the past five years. [19243/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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860. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the recent changes to the allocation model for special education. [19245/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 860 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.

The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at .

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 (SET) 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. The NCSE also publish SET and SNA allocations on their

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.