Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2021
161. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of schools which requested full-time SNAs annually between 2015 and 2020; the number of schools which did not receive full-time SNAs after seeking same annually between 2015 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33958/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels.
My Department will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of its total educational budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs in 2021.
This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
Budget 2021 provided for an additional 990 additional SNAs for allocation to schools, bringing the total numbers to 18,000 by December 2021.
This allocation of SNAs is to meet the care needs of pupils in 2021 and will enable the establishment of new special classes, creation of new places in special schools, support children in mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year.
This will represent an increase of increase of 70% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
The NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county and by school, for each school year, this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie.
As this question relates to the statistics on the allocation of SNA support, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.
