Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the concerns raised by schools that they are unable to plan for the coming academic year due to delays in allocation of resources by the NCSE; her further views on the stress caused by the same delay on SNAs who have finished work for the year without knowledge of whether they will be coming back in September; if she is aware of the requests being made by her Department on schools to provide change of staff forms and SNA allocation data despite this information still not being made available by the NCSE; and for an update in relation to the deployment of 1,600 SNAs sanctioned in Budget 2025. [31115/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

By the end of the year there will be close to 21,000 special educational teachers and over 23,000 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.

The NCSE are responsible for the allocation of SNAs to schools, my department does not have a role in the allocation process.

The NCSE have advised my department that all schools were informed last week (6th June 2025) of any change to their SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year.

Budget 2025 provides for 1,600 SNA posts nationwide. This is the highest ever annual increase. The NCSE will ensure that all of the additional SNAs provided by this government will be allocated to those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.

It is intended, in future academic years, that the NCSE will align the release of SNA allocations with the annual staffing schedules to schools (mainstream and special education teachers).

This will allow schools to better plan for their care needs in a timely manner.

It also provides certainty and assurances to affected staff of their future school placements by allowing SNA redeployment processes to conclude as appropriate.

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.