86. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the SNA review for a school (details supplied) in north Dublin, recognising the uncertainty families are facing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40716/26]

Sentiment score: -0.23

My question is on the provision of SNAs in a school in my community and the need for better communications from the Department of education. Will the Minister of State provide an update on the SNA review for Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol in Domhnach Míde, Baile Átha Cliath, recognising the uncertainty families are facing, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.06

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I spoke earlier this year about the importance of that trust between SNAs and students, which I know he understands, and how central that is to a child’s school experience and their broader development. I welcome the commitment to engage specifically on this item and will follow up with him separately. I also welcome the target of 26,000-plus SNAs. Communication earlier in the year between the Department and the NCSE was very poor and we are heading for the same problem again. That is where Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is struggling. It wants to plan for its SNA numbers and allocations for next year. I will pick up with the Minister of State separately on that. We need to address this for the future. I do not want Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol or any other school in the area heading for the June bank holiday still not clear on its allocation, so it is really important that we try to bottom out that process so schools can have certainty as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.13

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The same school has an issue with the summer programme as well. On the school's notification of the summer programme, the quantum has arrived three months later than last year and the school still does not know how many places it can offer. It has only been told that this information will be confirmed this very week. This is an issue that came up during the general election campaign. I remember talking to teachers who were really struggling to make their plans for the summer programme because they were hearing about their resources quite late in the cycle. Will the Minister of State give us any assurance or information? What can we do to make sure that that school can accommodate and plan the summer programme, given it is just around the corner, so that there is not that stress on families and they can make their summer plans as well?

Sentiment score: 0.10