Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports that will be available to special needs assistants as part of the redeployment scheme for special needs assistants should their redeployment take place a distance away from their previous post. [21625/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As recently announced work is under way on a redeployment scheme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for the coming school year 2025/2026. This important policy initiative will ensure that competent, knowledgeable and experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, building capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children with special educational needs.

Undertaken in conjunction with ongoing work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan the SNA Redeployment scheme will be operated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and for the first time, will allow SNAs in posts which may no longer be required for reasons such as falling enrolments, reduced care needs or changing demographics, to be redeployed to a school which has a vacant post.

My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders on the SNA Redeployment scheme over the coming weeks and this engagement will inform final arrangements for the scheme.

The Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan will introduce policy developments which will bring clarity and direction to the SNA service. It will encompass an understanding of the SNA role and how they and other stakeholders can best be supported to provide the most effective service to children with significant care needs in our schools.

My Department is on track to deliver the SNA Workforce Development Plan in September 2025.