This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
I know the central role that our special needs assistants (SNAs) play in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
That is why the number of SNA posts available for allocation has continued to increase annually resulting in more SNAs than ever now being employed in our schools. Budget 2026 provides for an additional 1,700 SNA posts, the largest number ever allocated in a single year, meaning the total number of SNAs available in our schools next year will be close to 25,000.
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. The NCSE's in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support. Further information is available on the NCSE website.
The purpose of the SNA service is defined in circular 0030/2014 and explains that SNA support is provided specifically to recognised primary, post-primary and special schools to support students with significant care needs in an educational context. The role and responsibilities of SNAs have not changed since the publication of this circular.
My department is currently developing a SNA workforce development plan which will bring further clarity and direction to the SNA service. The plan which is being developed in consultation and collaboration with education stakeholders including existing SNAs, school management bodies, parents and children is scheduled for delivery later in 2025.
