Alan Farrell
Ceist:100. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the recruitment of teachers and SNAs, as outlined in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6372/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 February 2024
Ceisteanna (100)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
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).
As the Deputy is aware in 2024 the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.
The breakdown of posts announced in the budget is as follows:
An additional 1,216 SNA posts will be created:
• 260 SNAs in mainstream schools to provide for exceptional needs reviews and appeals;
• 806 SNAs to support new special classes;
• 150 SNAs to support special schools
An additional 744 teaching posts will be created to support the inclusion of children with special educational needs in our education system in mainstream, special class, and special school settings:
• 205 special education teachers;
• 477 special class teachers;
• 62 teachers in special schools.
The allocation of teacher and SNA posts announced in Budget 2024 is to meet the care needs of pupils in 2024 and will enable the establishment of new special classes, creation of new places in special schools and support children in mainstream classes for the 2024/25 school year.
These increases will mean there will be over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs, SETs and reviews. The department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and schools should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.
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.