Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

659. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to grant an appeal in respect of additional SNA hours for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58002/25]

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) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.

As you are aware 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.

If a school feels like 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. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.

Schools can appeal an allocation review decision to the Appeals Advisory Committee (ACC) if they feel the review process was not followed correctly or a substantial error was made. This committee comprises of an independent chairperson, a representative of school management bodies and a parent representative. The decision of the AAC is final, however, it is important to note that a school may request a further review at any stage should the care needs of the students enrolled change.

The NCSE's local special educational needs organiser (SENO) also remains available to the school to discuss their current deployment of SNA supports and offer advice as to how to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.