Special Educational Needs

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Ceisteanna (437)

Eoghan Kenny

Ceist:

437. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date on which SNA allocations will happen for the 2025/2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32485/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.

Budget 2025 provided for an additional 1,600 special needs assistants (SNAs), the largest number ever allocated in a single year, meaning the total number of SNAs available in our schools in September will be 23,179. This is more than double the number of SNAs that were in our schools 10 years ago.

The NCSE has advised my department that all schools were informed last week, 6 June 2025, of their SNA allocation for the 2025/26 school year.