IPPN

Published: 29 May 2024

The DE published Circular 0049/2024 yesterday (29.05.24) detailing the manner in which Special Needs Assistants are to be allocated to schools to support children with care needs in mainstream classes for the 2024/25 school year.

Information Points

• The school’s existing allocation of SNAs (as of 31.05.24) will be the school’s initial allocation for the 2024-25 school year.
• Confirmation of the SNA allocation will be provided to each school in the coming days after which allocations will be published on the NCSE website.
• Where a school identifies a significant increase in care needs, additional resources can be provided to support the school, following a request for review by the school with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
• If a school is dissatisfied with the outcome of a review, it may appeal that decision.
• Details on grounds for appeal and the appeals mechanism are available via https://ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process.
• A toolkit to assist schools in the review, reprioritisation and redeployment of SNA support is available from the NCSE via https://ncse.ie/special-needs-assistants
• The SENO has an important role in supporting and advising schools with regard to the role and deployment of SNAs.

IPPN published its position paper with regard to SEN Allocations, Resources & Appeals in June 2023. The position clearly highlighted the deficits that exist with regard to reliable up to date data to inform allocation processes and the inadequate number of SENOs within the system. At the time of publication there were 61 SENOs in role across the country. It was IPPN’s view that this situation compromises the depth of knowledge and understanding of the profile of needs in schools with a consequential impact on allocations.

IPPN called for a comprehensive recruitment process of SENOs and that each school should have access to a dedicated SENO. IPPN is pleased to report that the recruitment process has been undertaken with 90 SENOs currently in place, which will increase to 110 by August and to a full complement 120 by September.

This increased cohort of SENOs should better ensure a greater level of support and advice to schools, greater knowledge of the level of need that presents in individual schools, more streamlined and efficient processes and quicker decision-making in relation to reviews and appeals.