Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
94. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when schools will be permitted to recruit for additional SNA posts allocated following the recent reviews, including in the case of a school (details supplied); the measures being taken to avoid further delays in filling these posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40532/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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.
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.
Special needs assistants (SNA)s play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools. They help ensure that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/boards of management deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the students enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
If a school feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy the NCSE have advised my department that the school was issued with an allocation letter on 10 February which included an additional 0.5 SNA post bringing their allocation to 6.5 SNAs.
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 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.
