Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
326. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider introducing measures to improve SNA pay and conditions such as tax credits for SNAs, EPV days for CPD courses completed, increased pension payments or increased payment for July provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40935/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Needs Assistants are valued members of our school communities who carry out vital work in our schools, supporting students with diverse needs.
The Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services and continues to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer. This has been achieved through a series of national collective agreements, agreed between trade unions and the Government, applying across the public sector.
Under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 (PSA), which has been approved by Government and applies to all public servants, including SNAs, pay increases totalling 9.25% are provided for up to June 2026. These terms were collectively agreed with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. To date, SNAs have received pay increases amounting to 8.25%, with the remaining 1% scheduled for implementation on 1 June 2026. The current salary scale and structure applicable to Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is set out in the Department of Education and Youth Circular 0006/2026.
This Agreement also contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. The PSA concludes on 30 June 2026.
The Summer Programme is an educational programme for children with complex special educational needs which is run during the summer months. Similar to teachers, contracted SNAs are paid their personable rate of pay for each day that they participate on the School-based Summer Programme. Where a school-based programme is not being run or a place is unavailable, a Home-based Summer Programme is available for children with complex special education needs.
Under the home-based programme, grant funding is made available so that parents/legal guardians can determine the most appropriate provision required for their child during the summer months. The role of the teacher and SNA are distinct where a teacher is to provide tuition, and a SNA provides care support as appropriate. Teachers and SNAs are paid per hour for tuition/care support delivered in line with agreed terms and public service pay agreements.
My Department is in the final stages of work on the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (the Plan) and associated documents. The Plan provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and supporting SNAs, children and young people with special educational needs and school communities. It will, through a co-created series of policy developments strengthen, clarify and offer clear direction and consistency to the SNA workforce.
Key outputs from the Plan include a new circular on the role of the SNA, a SNA Redeployment Scheme and a review of the SNA employment contract. I very much value the key contribution that SNAs make to the educational experience and overall wellbeing.
As is standard practice, discussions with public service unions continue on all matters relating to pay agreements. Any review of terms and conditions including pay and pensions for SNAs will follow these established processes and be considered in detail by the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the relevant trade unions.
