Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
366. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of special needs assistants by 1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35653/25]
View answerThis 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.
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.
The estimated full-year cost of a new entrant special needs assistant is €35,030 per annum.
The estimated full-year cost of a special need assistant is €44,300 per annum. This includes employer PRSI.
The table below outlines the annual cost as outlined by the Deputy.
|
Number of SNA's |
New Entrant |
Average Cost |
|
1,500 |
€52,545,000 |
€66,450,000 |
|
2,000 |
€70,060,000 |
€88,600,000 |
|
2,500 |
€87,575,000 |
€110,750,000 |
If the posts were to be allocated from 1 September in the first year, that would equate to 4 months of the annual cost or an approximate one third of the overall annual cost.
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.
