Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Ceisteanna (573, 574)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

573. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of additional SNAs that have been hired to date in 2021. [42516/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

574. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of additional SNAs that were hired for the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year. [42517/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.

When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy and the decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.

The NCSE have confirmed that the number of additional SNA posts allocated to date in 2021 comes to 814.84 posts. Of these 84.72 related to the 2020/2021 school year.

In respect of the 2021/22 school year the NCSE have confirmed that to date, 730.12 additional SNA posts have been allocated to schools. This brings the total allocation to 17847.14 SNAs.

Question No. 574 answered with Question No. 573.