Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:593. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of SNA’s allocated to schools throughout the country and for a comparison with the total allocation in 2019, in tabular form. [34777/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 9 September 2024
Ceisteanna (593)
Freagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Special needs assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. There is now over double the number of SNAs in schools compared to 2011 and Budget 2024 provided for a further 1,216 posts.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs.
The table below provides a comparison of the total allocation of SNAs by the NCSE in 2019 and 2024.
|
School year |
Total WTE posts |
|
2019/20 (Number of SNA's as at 31/12/2019) |
15,948 |
|
2024/25 (Number of SNA's as at 31/07/2024) |
21,980 |
The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for each school for the 2024/25 school year. Details of each school's allocation is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if they feel their allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is also published on the NCSE website available at www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
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.