John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that the current role of SNA is not diminished in any way and that the behavioural, emotional and sensory needs of the child will remain explicitly recognised in SNA support; if a more flexible rolling review process will be provided so children’s changing needs can be supported in real time; if she will ensure greater transparency around the redeployment scheme and the criteria used; if she will continue to expand the number of SNAs in classrooms and special needs units across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54470/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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My department is fully committed to supporting the vital role that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play in our schools. This workforce provides essential support to students with additional needs, and their contribution to the educational experience of these students is deeply valued.

My department has been steadily building the level of SNA support in our education system. This school year there will be over 23,000 SNAs allocated to schools, 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.  Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts which will bring the total number of SNA’s to almost 25,000 by the end of 2026. 

There is no question of diminution of the SNA role, rather, my department very much acknowledges the key role that SNAs play in our school communities. Consequently, my department established the Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Unit (SNAWDU) in 2022 to ensure that policy matters related to SNAs are given due time and attention. Work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan in consultation with stakeholders including SNAs, school leaders and trade unions is at an advanced stage.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocation of SNA posts to schools and in this capacity has reviewed and notified school allocations for the 2025/26 school year based on the care needs of the enrolled students. If a school believes it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. The NCSE provides support through the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) who is available to discuss deployment of SNA support. NCSE in-school support is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support. Further information is available on the NCSE website.

Work to develop an SNA redeployment scheme is ongoing. This important policy initiative will ensure that competent, knowledgeable and experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, building capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children with special educational needs. The SNA Redeployment scheme will be operated by the NCSE. For the first time, it will allow SNAs in posts which may no longer be required for reasons such as falling enrolments, reduced care needs or changing demographics, to be redeployed to a school which has a vacant post.

Implementation of the SNA Redeployment scheme will start during the 2025/26 school year shaped by feedback from a broad range of stakeholders. It is important to note that SNAs in surplus posts identified through the NCSE’s SNA Review process will remain in the relevant school for the rest of the academic year. Subject to identification of a suitable vacancy and assuming no change to SNA allocations in the meantime, they will subsequently be redeployed to a new post in September 2026. Further updates and resources are available via the SNA Information Hub at www.gov.ie/snahub

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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the case of a child (details supplied); the way in which the SNA guidelines will affect children with additional needs; and if she will commit to ensuring that the cases such as these have all necessary supports. [54518/25]

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). 

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

Special needs assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools. They help ensure that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. 

SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The NCSE has confirmed to my department that no school remaining open for the 2025/26 school year will lose an SNA post for the 2025/26 school year.

The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. A school can apply to the NCSE at any time during the school year, as in previous years, for a SNA post allocation review where emerging or new care needs arise. An emerging care need for example would be changing care needs in their existing student enrolment, newly identified care need or a new enrolment(s) with care needs.

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.