Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
360. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled SNA positions at primary and secondary level in Dublin 5, 13 and 17, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7164/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2023 the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants and reviews.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy.
Details of the recruitment and appointment procedures which apply to SNAs is detailed in Department Circulars 0051/2019 and 0031/2022:
0051/2019 gov.ie/en/circular/cb26b4-recruitment-and-appointment-procedures-for-special-needs-assistants-/
0031/2022 gov.ie/en/circular/34197-recruitment-of-special-needs-assistants-snas-supplementary-assignment-arrangements-for-the-20222023-school-year/
The information requested in relation to unfilled positions at school level is not available as the filling of vacancies is a matter for the employer, in this case each individual school board of management.
However, while my Department does not collate this information, I wish to advise that my Department is not aware of any evidence that schools are having any difficulties in recruiting or retaining SNA staff, including for short-term vacancies such as sick leave and/or maternity leave.
All Department circulars are available on the gov.ie website.
