266. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth when an SNA application for a school (details supplied) will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52381/26]

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with care needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) resources.

The number of SNAs allocated to schools nationally has increased by 45% between the 2020/21 school year and the present. Funding for 3,000 additional SNAs is being provided to bring the total number of SNAs to over 26,000 in 2026 and into 2027.

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.

As the matter raised in the question relates to SNA allocation to a school and my department has no role in the SNA allocation or review process, I am forwarding this to the NCSE for their direct reply.

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 achieve their full potential.