Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
405. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of SENO vacancies nationwide; the number per county; the average waiting time for the appointment of a new SENO, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council in relation to the identification, delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities. The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. In Budget 2023, the government provided an additional €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE. This will mean an increase of up to 161 additional staff in the organisation, a workforce increase of 50%.
The allocation of SENOs is based on regional assignments rather than county-specific placements. In accordance with the strategic reorganisation and growth initiative undertaken by the NCSE, all SENO’s will be allocated on a county basis. This ongoing reconfiguration process is currently underway, and upon full implementation, there will be a designated and appropriate number of SENOs assigned to cater to the specific needs of each county.
The number of SENO’s allocated by region is included below.
|
Region |
Number of SENOs (15th March 2024) |
|
North Team 1 |
6 |
|
North Team 2 |
8 |
|
West Team 1 |
9 |
|
West Team 2 |
11 |
|
South West Team 1 |
7 |
|
South West Team 2 |
9 |
|
South East Team 1 |
7 |
|
South East Team 2 |
6 |
|
Dublin Team 1 |
8 |
|
Dublin Team 2 |
9 |
Following a recent SNO recruitment campaign, the first intake of new SENO grades has already commenced and 12 additional SENOs joined in February. There will also be a further 20 SENO posts added by end March and an additional 20 posts added by the end of May. The recruitment process allows for training, induction, back-filling and the equitable distribution of cases on a county basis to new SENOs, without disrupting existing service to schools & children. In respect of the average waiting time of assignment, while the lead time for commencement of employment is unique to each new staff member having regard to their current employment and personal circumstances, candidates can start between 4 and 12 weeks of being notified of an offer of employment by the NCSE.
When complete, this expansion of services will see the number of SENO grades increase to 120, who will be organised into 21 teams, reporting to two national coordinators. This will change the current team structure of SENOs from a regional to a county basis.
