Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SNA allocations that were recommended to the NCSE by SENOs versus the actual number that were allocated; and to provide a breakdown of where the recommendation by a SENO has not been filled or sanctioned, In tabular form. [29008/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 has prioritised 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. Ensuring that all of the additional SNAs provided for by this government are allocated to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.

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.