Special Educational Needs

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Questions (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)

Barry Ward

Question:

68. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the review of the role of a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22498/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

69. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the review of Circular 0030/2014 with regard to the role of special needs assistants in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22499/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

70. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria under consideration as part of the review of Circular 0030/2014 with regard to the role of special needs assistants in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22500/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

71. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the way in which school principals can feed into the review of Circular 0030/2014 with regard to the role of special needs assistants in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22501/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

72. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the calls of school principals who wish to feed into the review of the role of special needs assistants in their schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22502/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

73. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is a timeline for the completion of her review of the role of special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22503/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73 together.

My department, through the dedicated Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Unit, is finalising the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (the plan). 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 is being developed in consultation and collaboration with stakeholders including school leaders and the SNAs, giving all parties an opportunity to provide input and share views on the future development and direction of the SNA service. The are five key areas that the plan will address:

Pillar 1 - Review and development of the SNA role

Pillar 2 - Establishment of a quality framework

Pillar 3 - Establishment of an SNA learning and development programme

Pillar 4 - Supporting SNA recruitment, retention, and diversity

Pillar 5 - Development of a communications strategy

Work on the plan has involved significant research and collaboration. This includes consultation with school leaders, SNAs, school management bodies, trade unions. teachers, parents and children and young people.

In January and February 2024 school leaders were invited to meet with officials from my department to discuss the role and duties of the SNA. This consultation with 250 school leaders in six locations across the country provided an opportunity to listen to the views of the school leaders. This helped my department to build an understanding of how the role of the SNA has evolved and how SNAs can be supported to work effectively as part of the whole school community to deliver the best service for the children and young people in their care. The associated report is published on the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie

Working groups , which have been established for each of the five pillars include representation from school management bodies and the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) and the National Association for Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) representing school leaders. These groups have considered a range of SNA related policy matters.

A comprehensive review of circular 0030/2014 which currently sets out the SNA role and duties is being progressed under Pillar One of the plan. This work examines the evolving nature of the SNA role and duties and will inform the development of a new circular that provides clear, up to date guidance for SNA, school staff and the whole school community.

The workforce development plan is now in its final stages and it will be published later in 2026. Further updates, including information on the revised circular, will be published on the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie in due course.

Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 68.

Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 68.

Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 68.

Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 68.

Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 68.