Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
319. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the schools that received an increase in SNA exceptional review allocations; the number of additional SNAs provided in 2021; and the number of exceptional review allocations applications from each school. [34241/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government.
The 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.
Following Budget 2021, it is expected that a total of 18,000 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts will have been allocated to primary, post primary and special schools by the end of this 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. Accordingly your question has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
The NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county, for each school year, this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie .
The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited. The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.
In relation to applications for an exceptional review of the SNA allocation for the 2021/22 school year, schools with no SNAs and developing schools are being prioritised and determinations made before 30 June 2021. Other applications will be processed in order of date received. Schools are advised in writing once the outcome of reviews are known.
The NCSE have confirmed that 1,488 applications for exceptional reviews were received from schools during the 2020/21 school year. Of these applications, 772 schools have received an increase amounting to 539.39 additional SNA posts.
