Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
112. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the pause on the review of SNA's, if this will lead to a change in outcome for the review of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was refused additional SNA support given an increase in the needs profile of the school. [15232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of the 194 schools set to have their SNA provision cut under the SNA Review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm following the pause on the review of the allocation of SNA resources when further clarity will be provided to schools for the next school year, if she will confirm if schools that have been allocated increased resourcing will receive those; the steps she will take to address the serious concerns for schools that have been told they are losing SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of schools that have been informed they are losing SNAs in the next school year; the number they will lose; to provide a list of all schools informed of the allocation of increased resources for the next school year; the additional support provided, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113, 114, 121 and 122 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.
