Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Ceisteanna (486)

John Lahart

Ceist:

486. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase further the number of SNAs for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9869/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Budget 2021 provided an additional 990 Special Needs Assistants.

This resulted in 18,004 SNAs having been allocated to schools by 31st December 2021

Budget 2022 provides funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022.

Provision for 19,169 SNAs as at 31st December 2022 will represent an increase of 81% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.