Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
334. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of hours of mandatory training and professional development that will be required of special needs assistants under the proposed revised circular; whether these hours will be compensated through additional pay, time off in lieu or other measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the requirement for special needs assistants to complete an additional 72 hours outside normal school attendance days was reviewed as part of the SNA workforce development plan; the rationale for retaining this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department published the first Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan (the Plan) and a number of associated policy documents on the 3 June 2026.
The SNA workforce has grown significantly in recent years and now includes almost 25,000 staff across primary, post-primary and special schools. Built around five strategic pillars and delivered in close consultation with stakeholders, the Plan recognises the vital contribution SNAs make to supporting children and young people with additional educational needs and enabling their full participation in school life. It sets out a clear framework to strengthen and support SNAs through enhanced professional development, greater role clarity, workforce sustainability measures and stronger collaboration across school communities.
The 72 hours working requirement of SNA’s has been in place since 2005, forming part of the SNA contract of employment, as agreed with unions. Under the terms of the standard employment contract agreed in 2005, SNAs were required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term, not exceeding 12 in total. Under the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement, it was agreed to convert that requirement to one of 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs), for use by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year. These arrangements were notified to schools in 2011, in Department Circular 0071/2011.
This additional time outside of classroom hours (up to a maximum of 72 hours per school year) is used to complete training and upskilling as well as planning, reviewing and collaboration with colleagues. It allows SNAs to complete these important tasks without taking away from the time spent supporting students during the school day.
Circular 0032/2026 (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/fe9133ae/0032_2026.pdf), which was published by my department on 3 June 2026, provides for revised arrangements from the coming school year 2026/2027. Along with the accompanying Guidance Document (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/dd6bdf99/Guidance_on_the_Role_of_the_SNA_EV.pdf) it aims to ensure schools and SNAs are clear on the purpose and appropriate use of this time and to mitigate against any misuse Under the new circular the additional hours are broken down into:
- School Community Time (maximum 36 hours) to include student support planning and review,
and
- Learning and Development Time (maximum 36 hours) to include training and upskilling for SNAs.
Duties carried out and recorded as School Community Time must be appropriate to the SNA role and similarly, any training recorded under the Learning and Development Time must be relevant to the SNA role and duties.
It is intended that the Learning and Development Programme proposed under pillar 3 of the Plan will strengthen SNA service delivery by providing equitable access to appropriate, legitimate opportunities for training and development, to ensure that SNAs are equipped to meet the complex needs of students in their care in an evolving educational environment.
I am pleased that the Plan and the associated documents have now been published and I look forward to working with SNAs, schools and stakeholders to implement the actions set out in the Plan.
Details on the Plan and the associated published documents are available on www.gov.ie at Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/special-needs-assistant-sna-workforce-development-plan/.
