Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
303. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if two SNAs whose primary school is closing down (details supplied) will be redeployed to another school; when she expects this to happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35931/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
My department recognises the value of the SNA role in the successful inclusion of students with special educational needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools, ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
It was agreed that the SNA redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce development plan and changes to a 2014 circular outlining the role of an SNA will be advanced before any further decisions are taken.
The priority will be to ensure that the child-centred approach to the provision of special education is retained and enhanced in these policy developments.
After these key documents are agreed and published, the NCSE can commence reviews of supports provided to schools for the 2027/28 academic year which will uphold the integrity of the process, which allocates supports based on the needs of children.
The department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
Undertaken in conjunction with work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, the SNA Redeployment Scheme will be operated by the National Council for Education (NCSE).
The scheme is designed to support SNAs who are at risk of redundancy by offering them continued employment within the education sector. The introduction of a redeployment scheme for SNAs will ensure that experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, increasing capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children and young people with special educational care needs.
In addition, the scheme will increase job security for SNAs and encourage prospective SNAs to enter the workforce. Redeployment, complemented by structured training, creates opportunities for SNAs to broaden their experience across different school types and student profiles. This continuity strengthens the SNA role as a stable career option with clear entitlements and protections.
An SNA in a standard post who opts out of the SNA Redeployment Scheme may avail of the supplementary assignment arrangements which are set out in Circular 0044/2026. They may also avail of the SNA redundancy scheme set out in DEY Circular 58/06.
All schools reviewed by the NCSE and allocated additional resources will receive them in the upcoming school year. Schools may recruit under the current arrangements set out in Department circulars for September 2026. It has now been agreed that there will be no reductions in SNA posts for the next school year 2026/27
In the event of school closure, the NCSE will provide guidance to individual SNAs on a case-by-case basis.
Updates and final details on the SNA Workforce Development Plan and details of the SNA Redeployment Scheme, including a circular and comprehensive guidelines, will be published on the NCSE website and the SNA Information Hub (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/special-needs-assistant-sna-information-hub/).
