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Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Information Hub
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Welcome to our information hub!
This page intends to help Special Needs Assistants and others in schools community access up-to-date, tailored information relevant to the role of the Special Needs Assistant.
Please keep an eye here for up-dates.
The almost 22,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) make a valuable contribution to our school communities, through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school. SNAs are an essential element of the school support structure, ensuring that students can access education to allow them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with special education needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools.
In December 2022 the department established a dedicated SNA Workforce Development Unit (SNAWDU) within Special Education Division, in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role and any reform or development required.
The SNAWDU has adopted a more strategic approach to SNA policy development with the objective of developing an enhanced SNA service which delivers the best outcome for children with significant care needs in our schools.
- SNA Webinar Update December 2024
- Ministers Foley and Naughton welcome report on focus groups with school leaders on the role of special needs assistants
- Ministers Foley and Naughton publish Report on the National Survey of Special Needs Assistants
- Information Note on SNA working hours - ESR
- Minister Madigan announces proposals for the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan
Payroll services for teaching, non-teaching and retired staff
Address:
Non-Teaching Staff Payroll, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, County Westmeath. N37 X659.
Pensions Unit
Address:
Department of Education, Pensions Unit, Cornamaddy, Athlone, N37 X659
Email:
Phone number:
Summary:
**Monday to Friday 2.30pm - 5.30pm.** (All emails are acknowledged upon receipt and your query will be dealt with as soon as possible). *NB – Please have your PPS number to hand before you call, to ensure your query can be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
SNA Workforce Development Unit
Address:
SNA Workforce Development Unit, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. N37 X659.
Phone number:
Teacher and SNAs: Teacher/SNA Terms and Conditions Section
Address:
Teacher/SNA Terms & Conditions, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 X659
Email:
Phone number:
Summary:
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are encouraged to submit queries regarding SNA Leave Schemes to their employers in the first instance. All employers have access to applicable Circulars relating to SNA Leave Schemes. Queries relating to statutory and non-statutory SNAs Leave Schemes can be submitted to Leave Admin Section, Teacher/SNA Terms and Conditions Section at the email address above. Recruitment and Appointment Unit in Teacher/SNA Terms and Conditions Section sets out the recruitment and appointment procedures for SNAs for the primary and post primary sector. Queries should be submitted to PORqueries@education.gov.ie