John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SNAs employed in mainstream primary schools as of 30 September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32219/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

By the end of the year there will be close to 21,000 special educational teachers and 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 advice that they have now allocated all 1,600 SNA posts for the next school year this will bring the total number of SNAs to 23,179. The NCSE has recently advised schools of their allocations for the 2025/26 school year. The decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs remains a decision of the school as the employer.

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.