Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the number of SNAs required at primary and second level throughout County Kildare is being met and likely to be improved throughout 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
I was very pleased to announce last Friday that 800 additional Special Needs Assistants will be allocated for the beginning of the next school year, with a further 140 expected to be allocated by the end of the year.
I was extremely pleased to be able to make the announcement on Friday, in keeping with the commitment made last year to inform schools of the September 2018 allocation before the end of May. In making this announcement at this time I am providing certainty to schools, parents and of course SNA's in relation to the posts that will be in place for the coming school year.
By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase on 2011. The National Council for Special Education notified the schools of their SNA allocations on Friday last and the details of these allocations are now published and available on their website.
I am pleased to confirm that the total allocation for County Kildare for September 2018 has been increased from 584.63 to 629.37, an increase of 26.4 for primary schools, an increase of 16.5 for secondary schools and an additional 2 SNAs for special schools.
Ensuring that children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for this Government. In the region of €1.75 billion will be invested in Special Education in 2018, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011.
