Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
578. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of full time SNAs employed by her Department across the country, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9818/26]
View answer579. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of part time SNAs employed by her Department across the country, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9819/26]
View answer580. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual cost of employing SNAs in schools across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9820/26]
View answer581. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of primary school classrooms that have one SNA allocated on a daily basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9821/26]
View answer582. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of primary school classrooms that have one SNA allocated on a daily basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9822/26]
View answer583. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any assessment has been carried out into the cost of providing one SNA in every primary school classroom in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9823/26]
View answer584. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the benefit of having at least one SNA in every primary school classroom in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9824/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583 and 584 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).
Special needs assistants (SNA)s 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.
My department has been steadily building the level of SNA support in our education system. This school year there will be over 23,000 SNAs allocated to schools, 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. Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts which will bring the total number of SNA whole time equivalent posts to close to 25,000 by the end of 2026.
The estimated full-year cost of a new entrant special needs assistant is €35,030 per annum.
The estimated average full-year cost of a special need assistant is €44,300 per annum. This includes employer PRSI.
As public servants SNAs are covered under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 (PSA). DEY Circular 0006/2026 sets out revised rates of salary for SNAs with effect from 1 February 2026. In addition Circular 0139/2006 sets out the Incremental Credit Scheme for Special Needs Assistants. This provides for recognition in the remuneration of a SNA the value of previous experience relevant to his/her work.
SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements 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.
The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website: www.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.
