Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will review SNA hours for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21119/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 9 May 2024
Ceisteanna (183)
Freagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs, this includes the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs), as such I will arrange to have your query referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year have been published on the NCSE's website. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type. Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is also published on the NCSE's website.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, 300 additional special school places and will increase the number of teaching and SNA posts.
An additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children.
I want to assure you that 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.