Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
473. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNAs and special education teachers allocated to schools in County Waterford at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025, broken down by primary, post-primary and special schools, in tabular form. [73755/25]
View answer474. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNAs and special education teachers allocated to schools in each county at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025, and the number on a per capita basis in tabular form. [73756/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs 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 students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students 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 students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
By the end of the 2026 calendar year there will be over 21,500 special educational teachers and almost 25,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have almost 46,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing students with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The NCSE publish statistics on SET and SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county, for each school year, this information is available on their website (ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations).
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.
