Update: Number of Special Needs Teachers & Assistants, 1st July 2015

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of special needs
teachers currently available throughout the country in primary level and second
level sectors; the extent to which this may be augmented on foot of already
documented requirements as set out by the various school authorities; and if
she will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of special needs
assistants currently available at primary and second level throughout the
country; the extent to which it is expected to augment these numbers in line
with submitted requests from school authorities in the course of the next 12
months; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
-Bernard J. Durkan.

I propose to take questions 576 and 577 together.

There are now more additional special needs teachers and special needs
assistants (SNAs) supporting children with special educational needs in our
schools than at any time previously.

The NCSE allocated 6,454 resource teacher posts to schools for September 2015,
which is an increase of 554 posts – or 9.4% – since September 2014.

An additional 149 special classes will open in September which brings to over
1,000, the number of special classes in mainstream schools and represents a 17%
increase over the 2014/15 number of special classes.

In addition, 11,330 SNA posts, an increase of 365 posts, or over 3%, are
available to the NCSE to allocate to the end of the current school year.

This is the highest level of special needs teachers and SNA support that we
have ever had, and will ensure that children with special educational needs can
continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate
to their needs.

My Department is currently considering SNA requirements for the coming school
year and expects to be in a position to authorize the NCSE to announce the
allocations in the near future.