Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (451)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

451. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department’s new model of SNA allocation to schools has still not been rolled out fully and that principals have been advised to wait and see what allocation they receive in May 2022 and then apply for an exceptional review; when the new mode; of allocation will be rolled out; the actions she is taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9413/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

Where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website, ncse.ie/for-schools.

All stakeholders will be advised when the SNA allocation process has been completed and this will be done in line with previous years in May.