451. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of special needs assistant posts that were identified for reduction nationally arising from the recent NCSE allocation reviews; the number of schools affected by these proposed reductions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16602/26]

452. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether individualised risk assessments were carried out in respect of children with additional needs prior to decisions being made regarding the proposed reduction or removal of SNA supports; if so, the nature of these assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16603/26]

453. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth the decision-making framework used by the NCSE in determining proposed changes to SNA allocations in schools; whether schools, parents or SNAs were consulted as part of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16604/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 452 and 453 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.