Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
459. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider reviewing the SNA allocation for a school (details supplied), considering the recent reduction of 60% to their mainstream SNA allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Clare, and every county, that will lose SNAs because of the NCSE review, in tabular form; if there will be any job losses, or if persons affected will all be redeployed; the steps being taken to increase the number of SNAs in schools; how the appeals process will operate given that schools could not report pupils who need SNAs unless they have had an assessment of needs, for which there is a large waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra466. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth regarding the SNA allocation reviews in schools, whether there have been changes to the criteria recently, or what the basis is for reductions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department can intervene in the case of a school (details supplied) to ensure that adequate special needs assistant provision is obtained following the SNA review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra501. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the changes in SNA allocation arising from school-led reviews and NCSE-led reviews from November 2025 to present in County Galway, including allocation before and after reviews, by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14325/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra535. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that the SNA review outcome letters that have already issued to schools in the past few weeks will be rescinded until the conclusion of the further engagement that is being undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14590/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 459, 461, 466, 487, 501 and 535 together.
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
Special education funding will exceed €3 billion in 2026 – up 58% since 2020 and the highest amount ever provided.
The number of special needs assistants (SNAs) allocated to schools nationally has increased by 45% between the 2020/21 school year and the present. By the end of the 2026/27 school year there will be close to 25,000 SNAs in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
SNAs play a key role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
It is important to note that there have been increases in SNAs in all counties and across all education settings since 2020, including mainstream, special classes and special schools.
I have listened carefully to all of the issues raised by parents and school communities.
It has now been agreed that there will be no reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year 2026/27.
All schools reviewed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and allocated additional resources will receive them in the upcoming school year.
It was agreed that the SNA redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce development plan and changes to a 2014 circular outlining the role of a SNA will be advanced before any further decisions are taken.
The priority will be to ensure that the child-centred approach to the provision of special education is retained and enhanced in these policy developments.
After these key documents are agreed and published, the NCSE can commence reviews of supports provided to schools for the 2027/28 academic year which will uphold the integrity of the process, which allocates supports based on the needs of children.
The 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.
