Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
329. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she accepts that special needs assistants are being asked under the proposed SNA workforce development plan to undertake expanded duties, mandatory professional development and increased workplace flexibility without any corresponding commitment to enhanced pay, allowances or career progression opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47168/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any consideration was given during the development of the SNA workforce development plan to the introduction of additional remuneration, allowances or incremental payments for special needs assistants in recognition of expanded duties and mandatory professional development requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration was given to the introduction of qualification-based increments or allowances for special needs assistants holding level six, level seven, level eight or postgraduate qualifications relevant to their role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has conducted an equality impact assessment of the SNA workforce development plan; whether such assessment examined the impact on pupils with disabilities and additional educational needs; and if she will publish the findings. [47233/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated annual cost of implementing the SNA workforce development plan; the additional funding allocated for training, professional development and implementation supports; and if she will provide a breakdown of these costs. [47234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 333, 337, 340 and 341 together.
My 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, 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. Actions in the Plan have been developed with a view to building on existing resources and any additional costs will be addressed through the standard budgetary processes.
The Plan has been developed with due regard to the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty which requires public bodies to actively promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the rights of those they serve.
The newly published Circular 0032/2026 on the role of the SNA reflects the evolved role of the SNA and responds to requests for greater clarity on the SNA role. Circulars 0039/2026 and 0040/2026 updates the SNA employment contracts to align with current policy, regulations and legislation. Circular 0022/2026 sets out arrangements for an SNA Redeployment Scheme, providing increased job security and ensuring as far as possible experienced SNAs are retained in the education sector.
In respect of pay and allowances, 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.
SNAs are public servants and as such are governed by national pay agreements. Under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 (PSA), which has been approved by Government and applies to all public servants, pay increases totalling 9.25% are provided for up to June 2026. These terms were collectively agreed with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The PSA 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.
Additional amendments to teacher and SNA Terms and Conditions, including pay, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions. Such changes can occur only under those processes, and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by my department, the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the relevant unions.
The current salary scale and structure applicable to Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is set out in the Department of Education and Youth Circular 0057/2026. Circular 0139/2006 provides for an Incremental Credit Scheme for Special Needs Assistants including awards in respect of previous relevant experience.
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 actions set out in the Plan.
