Special Needs Assistant Allocation 2023/24

Sector: Primary, Post Primary, SNA

Author: Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The following arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2023/24 will apply:

a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31 May 2023 will be the initial allocation for the 2023/2024 school year. However, where a school identifies a significant increase in care needs, additional resources can be provided to support the school, following engagement by the school with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). This will provide greater certainty for schools in terms of resource planning for the 2023/24 school year.

b) There is a process for schools, whereby if they consider their SNA allocation is in excess of the required care needs, to engage with the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE special educational needs organiser (SENO) to commence the process.

c) The exceptional review process undertaken by the NCSE will remain in place throughout the 2023/24 school year. As part of this, schools can seek a review of their SNA allocations which will result in one of the following outcomes:

i. No change in the level of care need identified (and no change in the resultant SNA allocation);

ii. Increase in the level of care need identified (which if significant would see an increase in the SNA allocations to the school) ;

iii. Decrease in level of care need identified in the school (which if significant would result in a reduction in SNA allocations as the care needs of the children could be appropriately supported with less resources than are currently allocated). The SNA allocation will be adjusted at the end of the relevant school year.

iv. The NCSE will undertake a rolling programme of targeted reviews of SNA mainstream allocations which is strategic in nature and ensures that SNAs are allocated to schools with students who have the greatest level of significant care needs. Full details of the process will be issued to all schools prior to the start of the 2023/24 school year by the NCSE.

The NCSE will publish allocations on its website www.ncse.ie.

New Circular published

A new circular 0018/2023 covering the allocation of SNAs for 2023/24 has issued to schools. The circular outlines:

• Arrangement for the allocation of mainstream SNAs for the 2023/24 school year

• Exceptional review process for mainstream SNA allocations

The NCSE will commence communication with schools in relation to the allocations on the week of 2nd May 2023. Once this process is complete, the allocations will be published on the NCSE website.