Special Educational Needs

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Ceisteanna (521)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

521. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if SNA support will be allocated for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52152/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. Deputies are welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.

The NCSE advise my department that the school received the outcome of their special need assistant allocation appeal and this has resulted in the decision remaining unchanged. The NCSE can make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their current deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. NCSE in-school support is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.

It is important that a sufficient number of school staff receive adequate training to meet the care needs of students, and adequate cover is in place where staff designated to provide essential care support is absent on any particular day. Resources should also be deployed so that children with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support in the school.

Where specific training is required, the school can liaise with Enable Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Education Support Centres, at a local level to secure guidance and training to meet the care needs of the student. The school’s SENO is also available to advise on the resources available to assist children with special educational needs including opportunities for targeted training.

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.