Ministers McEntee and Moynihan announce €1.9 million contract for the National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 20 February 2025
- Last updated on: 20 February 2025
Minister for Education Helen McEntee and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan have confirmed that a contract has been awarded to Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for continued provision of the national training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) from September 2025.
Further to a procurement process by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on behalf of the Department of Education, ATU emerged as the successful tenderer to continue delivery of the course. A total of 2,962 SNAs have completed the course to date, while a further 881 are enrolled for the current academic year. The course, which was first made available to SNAs in 2021, is accredited as a Level 6 Special Purpose award on the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ).
The course, which is fully funded by the Department of Education, will be led by the School of Education at St Angela’s Campus in Lough Gill, Co. Sligo and will be jointly offered between the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies at ATU, St Angela’s.
Minister McEntee said:
“I am pleased that this important training programme will continue to be available to train and upskill SNAs. This purposefully designed course will provide an opportunity for more SNAs to enhance their knowledge, skills and expertise to provide the best possible support for children and young people with care needs attending schools around the country.
“I congratulate ATU St Angela’s on their successful tender for this course. St Angela’s School of Education has a wealth of experience in special education training, and I have no doubt they will provide a high-quality learning experience to SNAs who enroll on this course for the coming academic year.”
Minister Moynihan said:
"I welcome this continued investment by the Department of Education in the professional development of SNAs. The School of Education in ATU St Angela’s offers programmes and research in special and inclusive education and is well placed to provide the knowledge and expertise required to deliver excellent training to SNAs.
“SNAs who complete this course will be equipped with the most up to date skills and knowledge and the practical focus of the course will support SNAs with hands-on experience to support their vital frontline role. This will, overall, assist school communities to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs enabling them to attend school, engage in learning and gain independence to the greatest extent possible.”
Notes
1. The 2018 NCSE Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018, recommended that a new national training programme be developed for existing SNAs who do not have the requisite level of training and for new SNAs on appointment.
2. Further to a procurement competition run by the Department of Education, the UCD School of Education, in conjunction with UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, were the successful candidate and were awarded a contract to design and deliver the programme.
3. The national training programme, which has been completed by 2,962 SNAs since January 2021, is fully funded by the Department of Education and is open to SNAs employed in all recognised schools (primary, post-primary and special schools) free of charge.
4. While it is expected that the majority of the course will be delivered online, the ATU course will include some new practical training sessions to be delivered in-person to SNAs at regional locations. It also includes a communities of practice model for SNAs.
5. The course will be delivered through a variety of engaging and interactive methods, using easily accessible and innovative training materials.