Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that adequate financial provision is made to enable the appointment of SNAs to all schools from September where such needs have been identified, and ensure that all pupils needing such support will not be deprived of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39776/25]

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

This government is committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential.

SNAs play a central role in the inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

The number of SNAs has increased annually with more than ever now employed in our schools. Budget 2025 provided for 1,600 SNAs, the largest number allocated in a single year, bringing to approximately 23,179 the number of SNAs in our schools in September. This is more than double that in our schools 10 years ago.

The National Council for Special Education manage allocation of SNA posts in our schools with a view to ensuring that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.

The NCSE have informed me that they will prioritise any outstanding SNA reviews as soon as schools reopen in September so that schools will be able to meet the need of all the children in their schools.

NCSE has assured the department that where schools are enrolling students with medical needs in September 2025, a swift and detailed analysis of their needs is a priority of NCSE who will respond to these applications in the short term - schools can make these cases known to their local SENO on an ongoing basis.

My department is committed to meeting the needs of all school children and young people. As provided in the Programme for Government this includes recruitment of additional SNAs to provide greater support to students. We will continue to engage through the Estimates process to ensure that we can meet the needs of all children in our schools.