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Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion and Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton have today announced a consultation with children and young people, seeking their views on the role of Special Needs Assistants in schools.
The consultation, which involves focus groups with children and young people at eight schools across the country, is undertaken in preparation for the first Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Workforce Development Plan. The objective of the consultation is to obtain the views of children and young people on the SNA role.
There are currently more than 21,000 SNAs working in Irish schools and funding has been provided in Budget 2025 to hire 1,600 more. This will bring the total number of SNAs to 23,000 by 2025, which is the highest ever number of SNAs allocated to our education system.
Minister Foley said:
“I want to thank all of our SNAs for the vital work they do to help children and young people with special educational needs every single day. Today’s announcement of a consultation with children and young people on the important role of the SNAs in our schools is another significant step in the ongoing work on the SNA Workforce Development Plan.
“As Minister, I have put a strong focus on giving children and young people a voice in the education system. Listening to their views provides a practical perspective on education policy development which will contribute to more robust decision making.
“I am grateful to the children and young people participating in this consultation. They have much to offer in helping to shape the direction of the SNA Workforce Development Plan.”
Minister Naughton said:
"I welcome this consultation empowering young people to actively contribute to decisions on the future of the SNA workforce which provides key support to facilitate attendance at school by children with special educational needs. Children and young people have a frontline perspective which provides valuable insight on how the service operates and how it should be developed.
“I am happy that work is progressing on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan which will ensure the more than 21,000 SNAs in our schools are supported to provide the best service to children and young people.”
The consultation is supported by a Child Advisory Group and a Youth Advisory Group established to help with planning the consultation approach for a broader group of children and young people. These advisory groups will advise the department on the recommendations that will be developed from the findings of the engagement with children and young people. The focus groups with children and young people are scheduled for January 2025. The children and young people who participate in the focus groups will be informed of how their views have been taken into account in the SNA Workforce Development Plan.
This consultation is one of a series on the SNA Workforce Development Plan. The information gathered will provide important input to actions under the five pillars of the plan. The findings along with other stakeholder feedback will support evidence-based planning and policy making with a view to delivering an enhanced SNA service.
The Child Advisory Group comprises children from Cornamaddy NS., Athlone. Co Westmeath.
The Youth Advisory Group comprises children from Athlone Community College, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The focus groups are scheduled to take place in the following schools:
In October 2023 Ministerial approval was secured to establish the first Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan which will reflect a consistent and planned approach to meeting present and future needs of the SNA workforce.
The Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan will introduce policy developments under the following five pillars:
To date the department has undertaken the following consultations on the plan:
Tuarascáil Fócasghrúpaí Foghlama agus Forbartha Cúntóirí Riachtanais Speisialta mí na Bealtaine 2023
Ról na gCúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta: Tuairisc ar Ghrúpaí Fócais le Ceannairí Scoile
Tuarascáil ar Shuirbhé Náisiúnta Cúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta
Focus groups with teachers – report in progress
Work is progressing towards a scheduled completion date of September 2025.