Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if the Government plans to fund SNA teachers for primary school-aged children who attend Montessori schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39535/23]
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. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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 funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs 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 SNAs. 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.
My department provides these resources to state-recognised schools to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education. These resources are not allocated to bodies other than recognised schools. The Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has responsibility for early learning and care, and school age childcare.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education that enables them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The purpose of the SNA scheme is clarified in circular 0030/2014 and explains that SNA support is provided specifically to assist recognised primary, post-primary and special schools to cater for the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
