Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
461. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to improve the working entitlements of SNAs; if she will consider a minimum hours of employment for such a role; if she will consider pension entitlements for SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16662/26]
View answerMy department recognises the value of the SNA role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
In general, the contractual position in respect of the working hours of SNAs is as outlined in their agreed contracts of employment. The standard SNA contracts of employment, set out in Circular 0012/2005 and 0015/2005, have been designed to be flexible to cater for the different spectrum of working hours across all the various schools including primary, post-primary and special schools. Full-time SNAs are expected to work for the normal school hours in the school that they are working in, as well as being available for a period of time before and after school in order to help with reception and dispersal of children and preparation and tidying up of classrooms etc. These times are set locally by the school management and will vary from school to school depending on the requirements of the school.
Pension arrangements for SNAs are set out in Circular 0063/2008. Further details of the Pension Scheme for SNAs who are employed by a recognised primary, secondary or community and comprehensive schools is available in the member’s handbook, and details can be found on the following link sna-pension-scheme-handbook.pdf.
Additional information on the Pension Schemes can be accessed on www.gov.ie website at: gov.ie - Pensions: teachers and non-teaching staff.
As is standard practice, discussions with public service unions continue and any review of terms and conditions including pensions for SNAs will follow these established processes and be considered in detail by my department, the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the relevant trade unions.
You may be aware that my department is progressing the first Special Needs Workforce Development Plan (the plan) scheduled for delivery later this year. This plan provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and supporting the SNA role and will introduce a series of policy developments to strengthen clarity, direction and consistency within the workforce.
The plan will introduce policy developments which will bring clarity and direction to the SNA service.
Proposals for the plan have been developed in consultation with stakeholders including parents, children, SNAs, school management bodies and the relevant trade unions.
The plan comprises five main pillars:
1. Review and Development of the SNA role
2. Establishment of a Quality Framework
3. Establishment of a SNA Learning and Development Programme
4. Supporting SNA Recruitment, Retention and Diversity
5. Development of a Communications Strategy
The publication of the plan later this year will be followed by an implementation period.
A commitment to undertake a review of the SNA employment contract was included in the previous public service pay agreement, which preceded the current agreement. In line with this commitment, my department initiated a review of the existing contract arrangements, as set out in Circulars 12/05 and 15/05. This commitment has been extended to allow for work under the plan to be concluded.
A comprehensive review of Circular 15/2005 and Circular 12/2005 which currently set out the contract of employment for SNAs employed in primary and post-primary schools is at an advanced stage under Pillar 4 of the plan. The contract review involves a full reconsideration of all contract provisions and arrangements to comply with current employment legislation and to align with work on the SNA Workforce Development Plan.
Further updates, including information on the revised circular, will be published on the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie in due course as work progresses.
