Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:587. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to allow SNA's to qualify for occupational injury leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 February 2026
Ceisteanna (587)
Freagraí scríofa
Under section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012) the board of management is the employer of teachers, SNAs and other staff of the school. In the case of community national schools, the ETB is the employer and not the board of management.
The board’s role as an employer includes responsibility for the recruitment and dismissal of teachers, SNAs and other staff within the school, subject to relevant Department circulars, employment legislation and sectoral agreements. The role also includes but is not limited to, health and safety, building, promoting and maintaining positive staff relations.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the responsibility of individual school authorities to have a safety statement in place in its school and to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of its employees and those who are in anyway affected by the work activities of the school. The safety statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils.
The Teacher Unions, through the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC), sought to introduce an Occupational Injury Leave Scheme for teachers. While it was not possible to reach agreement on this issue at the TCC, the Teacher Unions availed of the additional mechanism provided for through the TCC and referred the matter to adjudication. Following this process, the Adjudicator determined that the introduction of an Occupational Injury Leave Scheme corresponding to the provisions of Finance Circular 1/82 should be made available to teachers and work commenced on the introduction of a scheme for teachers in accordance with the findings of the Adjudicator. The terms and conditions of the non-statutory Occupational Injury Leave Scheme for teachers were agreed with all Education Partners.
The SNA Industrial Relations Forum (SNA IR Forum), provides a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary and other terms and conditions of service for SNAs which is made up of Fórsa representatives, along with School Management Bodies representatives and the Department of Education and Youth.
However, it should be noted that under the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024-2026 (PSA), no cost increasing claims for improvements in pay terms and conditions of employment can be initiated or implemented for the duration of the Agreement, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Local Bargaining clause of the PSA.