Written answer
Special Educational Needs
The NCSE confirmed the school’s SNA appeal was not upheld, while noting increased funding and advising schools to consult their SENO.
204. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the case of (details supplied); and if her officials will investigate the case. [66055/26]
Comment on this
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.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy the outcome of the special needs assistant (SNA) appeal was that the appeal was not upheld.
Special education funding will exceed €3 billion in 2026 – up 58% since 2020 and the highest amount ever provided.
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. SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board 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.
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. 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.
The NCSE offers a range of support to schools through the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) service and advisory service. A suite of professional learning experiences is available to schools, including seminars, webinars, professional learning communities, resources and responding to individual requests from schools.
Details of NCSE Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) opportunities and resources are available at: www.ncse.ie.
If a school has a concern with either their SNA allocation for the 2026/27 school year or the outcome of a SNA review/appeal, they should discuss the matter with their SENO.
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.