Paul Murphy
Question:472. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the level of staff shortages at a school (details supplied); and the impact this is having on the hours of the children attending. [3325/26]
View answerTuesday, 20 January 2026
Questions (472)
Written answers
This government is fully committed to supporting students 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 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 classes and special school places are provided. These classes are resourced in line with the Special Education Review Committee's recommendations. This ensures that these classes continue to meet the needs of students who are enrolled, and the class is as inclusive as possible in that as many students as possible are accommodated.
By the end of the 2026 calendar year there will be over 21,000 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.
Special schools support children and young people aged between 4 and 18 years of age with the most complex special educational needs and ensure positive links are established and fostered between the home, school and other agencies for these students.
Each new class within a special school is staffed with a dedicated teacher, two special needs assistants and further staffing allocated based on the individual needs of the students enrolled.
SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/boards of management deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the students enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
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. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
The NCSE as the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs remains available to offer advice and support to families as required. Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's website.
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.