Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Special needs assistants (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 education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. There is now over double the number of SNAs in schools compared to 2011 and Budget 2024 provides for a further 1,216 posts. This will bring the total number of SNA posts nationwide to over 21,000.

The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for each school for the 2024/25 school year. Details of each school's allocation is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.

Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if they feel their allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is also published on the NCSE website available at ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.

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.