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Special Education Teaching hours and Special Needs Assistant support help autistic children thrive in mainstream Irish schools. Learn eligibility, how allocations work, and how to request the right level of support.
SET hours and SNA support are allocated differently. Understanding the criteria for each is the first step to securing the right support.
SET support is provided wherever a child is struggling academically or socially. No diagnosis is required at Classroom Support or School Support level.
SNA support requires primary care, secondary care and safety needs that go beyond what the class teacher can provide, documented in a professional report.
Both SET and SNA applications are strengthened by a Student Support File documenting the school's existing interventions and the child's response to them.
For SNA support, the school principal submits the application to the NCSE. Parents cannot apply directly - instead, they work with the school to document their child's needs.
| Feature | SET (Special Education Teacher) | SNA (Special Needs Assistant) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Teaching & learning | Care & safety |
| Diagnosis required? | No | No, but functional evidence is |
| Allocated to | The school (block of hours) | The school (based on named pupils) |
| Typical support style | 1:1, small group, or in-class | Care, supervision, regulation |
| Cost to family | €0 (free) | €0 (free) |
Targeted teaching to support the child's needs
Small group sessions to build peer interaction skills
Elopement prevention, playground safety, traffic awareness
De-escalation, transition support, sensory breaks
Follow these five steps to ensure your child's needs are accurately represented in the school's allocation decisions.
The report should clearly describe functional care needs during a school day, not just list symptoms. A private assessment with AutismCare can deliver this in 8-10 weeks.
Request a meeting with the principal and the special education team to discuss how the school will respond under the Continuum of Support framework.
This is the school's working document that tracks the child's needs, interventions, and progress. It is the primary evidence base the NCSE uses when considering SNA applications.
The school principal is the applicant, not the parent. The NCSE communicates allocation decisions directly to the school. Follow up with the principal and the SENO if needed.
Both SET and SNA support should be reviewed every year. Support levels can increase, decrease, or remain the same based on the student's evolving needs.
Our reports are written in the functional language that NCSE allocation officers actually use.
Reports describe specific care tasks (not just symptoms) - the evidence the NCSE requires to approve SNA support.
Every report speaks in the vocabulary of the NEPS Continuum of Support, making it easier for school principals to plan interventions at the right tier.
All assessments conducted by Psychological Society of Ireland registered professionals whose documentation is fully accepted by the NCSE.
Reports include tailored suggestions for both classroom adjustments and targeted interventions, giving the school a clear roadmap.
Explore other educational and financial supports for autistic children in Ireland.
Common questions about SET hours and SNA support in Irish schools.
Start with a strong clinical foundation that speaks the language schools and the NCSE use.
Book a multidisciplinary assessment with AutismCare
Present the report to the principal and SET team
Ensure your child's needs are formally documented
Adjust the level of support as your child's needs evolve
SET hour and SNA allocation rules, the Continuum of Support framework, and NCSE processes are subject to change. This page was last updated April 2026. Always verify current allocation guidelines and application processes with the NCSE at ncse.ie or contact your local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO). AutismCare provides assessment services but does not guarantee any specific level of SET or SNA allocation.
Hello, to request a call back by a member of our team please complete the information below.
Meabh Charlton Phelan
Client Engagement Advisor
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