Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans in relation to educational assessments; specifically, if she intends to review the use of standardised tests in light of evidence demonstrating their significant limitations in accurately assessing children with complex needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36244/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the deputy for the question.

The SET allocation model is designed to distribute additional teaching resources across the entire school system. This is to ensure that additional teaching resources are available to support pupils with the greatest level of learning need. There is a defined level of resources available to distribute across the whole school system.

A unique educational profile is created for each school and is underpinned by three pillars;

1. Enrolment.

2. Educational Teaching Needs Profile (derived from the literacy and numeracy profile of the school as demonstrated by the STen scores for English/Irish and Maths and Junior Cycle data.

3. Educational Disadvantage (pupil data from POD/PPOD combined with data from the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas, which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area)

The Educational Teaching needs profile is calculated based on educational outcome data which are collected and held within schools and submitted to the Department of Education. Hence, the profiles are directly correlated to, and focused on, pupils with the greatest level of need in the areas of literacy and numeracy.

These are a consistent and reliable indicator to identify additional learning need, particularly those with the highest level of need. This data is being taken over a 3 year period so that the model can be sensitive to any short term fluctuations and means those schools that need it most will get the sustained support required.

In the recent review of the model consideration was given to those students with multiple needs and who may not have undertaken standardised testing and this has been incorporated in the model.

The review of the SET allocation model also identified that a programme of continuous development was required to ensure that the model was delivering effectively, both in supporting the changing needs in the education system, and for individual schools.

A phased high level plan has been compiled to further enhance the model over the coming years. The department intends to undertake further detailed consultations with our education partners in the development of future enhancements to the model.

My Department is cognisant that it is possible that unique circumstances may present in a school to the extent that a school profile changes in a manner beyond which could have been anticipated. In such circumstances, the school may apply for a SET Allocation Review if the school has experienced a Unique Circumstance(s).

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if she will instruct their Department to ensure that schools are allocated the appropriate number of SNAs, in order to ensure that children receive an adequate level of care and that school staff can perform their duties without any undue stress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36276/25]

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, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). The NCSE has advised my department that all schools have been informed of their SNA allocation for the 2025/26 school year.

As the NCSE is responsible for the allocation of SNAs to schools, I have forwarded the school's details to them for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.

It is open to any school which feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students to submit to the NCSE a request seeking a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website.

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.