Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
180. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that schools in County Galway have appropriate SET and SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69832/25]
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.
By the end of this year there will be over 20,000 special educational teachers and 23,000 SNAs in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
Budget 2026 provided an additional 860 SET posts and 1,717 SNAs. For 2026/27 school year there will be just under 21,000 special education teachers and almost 25,000 SNAs in our schools.
In the last 5 years in County Galway, the number of SNAs overall has increased by 25% and the number of special education teachers has increased by 16%.
Each year the SET allocations based on learning needs are advised to schools and if a school believes they have insufficient SET Resources they can apply to the NCSE for a review. On completion of the review the NCSE recommends if there is any additional resource required, these are approved immediately.
The NCSE allocates SNAs to our schools annually based on the care needs within the school. Once again when a school is advised of their allocation, the NCSE has a review process in place where schools believe that they need additional resourcing to support their care needs.
On completion of the review by the NCSE if a school is identified as requiring additional SNA support, the NCSE increases their allocation to meet this need.
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
