Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills , given that the 1,600 additional SNA staff promised in Budget 2025, bringing the number of SNAs from 22,000 to 23,600, will now amount to approximately 500 fewer than expected, she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the 1,600 extra SNAs that had been promised for each county for September 2025, and the number of SNAs that will be allocated in each county for September 2025, in tabular form. [33225/25]

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.

The number of special needs assistants (SNA) continues to increase, in 2019 there were 15,950 SNA posts allocated to schools nationwide. This figure has been built on year on year by successive budgets as outlined in the table below.

As the Deputy knows, it is the role of the NCSE to manage the allocations of SNAs across the country and to ensure that all of the additional SNAs provided for by this government are allocated to schools to support those children with the highest level of need so they get the highest level of support.

The NCSE also now has a full complement of staffing so has the resources and supports to ensure they can do their work effectively and in a timely manner. The NCSE advised all schools on the week of 6 June of their SNA allocation for the upcoming school year.

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.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education accept clinical diagnosing of autism in assessment reports completed by educational psychologists. [33409/25]

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education accept clinical diagnosing of autism in assessment reports completed by clinical psychologists. [33410/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

My Department has recently issued a new circular letter to schools in relation to the approach and measures being undertaken to support the forward planning of special classes and special school places for the 2026/2027 school year.

The circular letter and NCSE guidelines clearly set out the eligibility criteria for access to a special class or special school. For example the eligibility criteria for admission to an autism special class for the 2026/2027 school year is:

Children and young people are eligible for enrolment in a special class for autism when the following is provided in support of such an application:

Professional report(s) outlining:

• Diagnosis of autism (e.g. Autism: DSM IV/V or ICD 10/11 (psychologist, psychiatrist, multi-disciplinary report)
  
  AND
• A demonstration of the understanding of complexity of the child’s overall level of need/s evidenced in the professional reports
  
  AND
• Given the severity or complexity of the child’s support needs, a clear professional recommendation as to what educational placement type would be most appropriate to best meet the child’s needs, along with the rationale for same
  
  AND
• A letter from the NCSE confirming that the child is known to them and that the child has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class for autism.