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Press release

Ministers McEntee and Moynihan welcome the opening of registration for the SNA Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education by ATU, St. Angela’s College

Minister for Education Helen McEntee TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD welcome the announcement by Atlantic Technological University (ATU), St. Angela’s College, that the Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education is now open to applications from Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) wishing to register for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Fully funded by the Department of Education, through the National Council for Education (NCSE) this course is available free of charge to SNAs in primary, post primary and special schools. The course is jointly offered between the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies at ATU St Angela’s.

The course is university-accredited as a Level 6 (30 ECTS) Special Purpose Award under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The course is fully funded by the Department of Education for all SNAs working in primary, post primary and special schools.

Minister McEntee said:

“I am very aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities for SNAs with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. I would encourage SNAs to enrol in this course which has been carefully developed to support SNAs. Building on their existing knowledge the course in St. Angela's will enhance their skillset conferring a benefit not just to the SNAs but also to the students that they work with and the wider school community”

Welcoming the announcement by ATU St. Angela’s, Minister Moynihan said:

“I am pleased that my department continues to invest in this unique opportunity for further learning for SNAs. The course content has been carefully designed by ATU St. Angela’s in collaboration with the NCSE and will be delivered to a high standard. I am pleased that the blended approach to delivery of the course which now includes a practical component will help SNAs to understand and meet the needs of children which is essential to delivering inclusive school communities.”

John Kearney, CEO of the NCSE said:

“The Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education is an important support for SNAs who work with children with special educational needs. Delivered jointly by ATU St. Angela’s schools of education and nursing the course offers practical training to SNAs in regional locations, and a communities of practice model, in addition to the online learning modules. This provides important opportunities for hands-on learning, and peer to peer learning and collaboration for SNAs participating in the course “

ATU President Dr Orla Flynn said:

"This course equips SNAs with the knowledge and confidence to support students with additional care needs in a meaningful way. Our collaboration with the Department of Education and the NCSE ensures that this programme is both impactful and accessible, and we are delighted to play a central role in advancing professional learning for SNAs across the country."

NOTE FOR EDITORS

Continuation of the SNA National Training Programme

  • Information on the Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education is available on the ATU website at https://www.atu.ie/

  • Information on the course

  • The 2018 Review of the SNA Scheme published by the NCSE includes a recommendation for the provision of a national online training programme.

  • 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 delivered fully online, is fully funded by the Department and delivered at no cost to SNAs who are currently serving in recognised special, primary and post-primary schools.

  • Approximately 2,962 SNAs have completed the course to date, with 881 SNAs currently enrolled for the 2024/2025 academic year.

  • Following a recent procurement process for the continuation of the SNA National Training Programme a contract has been awarded to Atlantic Technological University to continue the provision of this programme from September 2025.

  • In February 2025 Ministers McEntee and Moynihan announced a €1.9m contract for continuation of the National Training Programme for SNAs

  • The course will be led by ATU St Angela’s at their 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.