Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
333. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide the numbers of SNA increases that were recommended by special educational needs organisers (SENO) for Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, in tabular form; and the numbers of increases that were actually made for same, in tabular form. [3051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
My department has been steadily building the level of special need assistant (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 SNAs to close to 25,000 by the end of 2026.
The NCSE has responsibility for the allocation of SNAs nationwide therefore I have asked the NCSE to reply directly to your request for statistical data. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
It is important to remember that when the NCSE allocates a SNA post, the board of management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.
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.
