Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether or not there is currently a budgetary constraint or recruitment freeze affecting the allocation and deployment of SNAs for the 2024/2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21313/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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,

We have been steadily building on the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in our education system. At the end of the 2024 school year there was over 22,000 SNAs in schools. Budget 2025 provides for an additional 1,600 SNA posts nationwide. This is the highest ever annual increase.

The NCSE will continue to prioritise the full allocation of the additional 1,600 SNA posts provided in Budget 2025 to support the 400 new special classes and 300 new special school places which will be available for this September from within the overall allocation budget.

The NCSE will ensure that all of the additional SNAs provided for by this government will be allocated to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.

SNAs are a key support in mainstream schools, special schools and special classes, the number of which has doubled in recent years. Sixteen new special schools have also been established in recent years meaning there are now over 31,000 specialist places in schools for September 2025.

The NCSE manages the allocation of SNAs to schools and it is the responsibility of the NCSE to ensure that these resources are allocated to the children with the greatest level of need.

Each year schools are advised of their SNA supports, which indicates that the NCSE will undertake reviews to ensure that SNAs are allocated to the children with the greatest level of need.

Such reviews can see an increased or reduced level of support or no change in allocation. This has always been part of the work of the NCSE and is necessary to ensure that resources are allocated in line with the level of need.

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.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the role and remit of special educational needs organisers in the allocation of SNA hours/posts to schools, particularly in relation to recommendations for reduced timetables in the absence of appropriate supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21314/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In recent years, the NCSE has undergone a significant transformational change. This has included a restructuring of the organisation and a 67% increase in its workforce, which combine to provide an increased and responsive support within communities.

At local level, the NCSE has doubled the number of support teams available to parents and schools, throughout the country, from a 10 team structure to a 20 team structure.

All special educational needs organisers (SENO) grades are now assigned on a county basis and undertake caseloads associated with that county only, on a reduced caseload basis.

To support these staff, additional administrative staff have also been allocated and this allows SENOs to concentrate on working directly with schools and families.

This allows for an integrated community-based service which is conducive to the development of key relationships between NCSE staff, parents, and schools in the provision of services to students with special educational needs.

The additional SENOs, additional administrative support and revised caseload allocations contribute to a comprehensive level of localised cover.

The special educational needs organisers are employees of the National Council for Special Education and as such my department does not have a direct input in relation to the role and remit of the SENO.

The National Council for Special Education (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 oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.