Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2024
184. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs assistants in primary schools in each school year since 2015-2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43720/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNA). Allocations are provided to schools on the basis of the school's overall profile of need. As a result, the number of students supported by SNAs varies from school to school.
As of the end of June 2024 there were over 21,000 SNAs allocated to schools nationwide.
The NCSE have provided details of the number of SNAs posts allocated to primary schools since 2015 (mainstream and special classes) and these are set out in the table below. The remaining allocations are to post-primary schools and special schools.
|
End of Year |
Whole Time Equivalent SNA posts |
|
22/10/2024 |
14,069 – Current figure |
|
2023 |
13,137 |
|
2022 |
12,181 |
|
2021 |
11,422 |
|
2020 |
10,796 |
|
2019 |
10,018 |
|
2018 |
9,342 |
|
2017 |
8,624 |
|
2016 |
7,871 |
|
2015 |
7,846 |
