454. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether special needs assistants whose posts were proposed for reduction under recent NCSE reviews will now be subject to redeployment notwithstanding the pause announced by Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16605/26]

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.

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 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.

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.

Updates and final details of the SNA Redeployment Scheme, including a comprehensive circular and guidelines, will be published on the NCSE website and the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie as work progresses.