Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
347. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a review mechanism will be established following implementation of the revised SNA contract to assess its impact on workload, redeployment, retention, and educational outcomes for students with additional educational needs. [51089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou may be aware that my department published the first ever Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan, a landmark in the roadmap for the future development of special education.
Built around five strategic pillars, the Plan recognises the vital contribution SNAs make to supporting children and young people with special 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 Plan was developed following extensive engagement and consultation with stakeholders across the education sector and sets out high level objectives and policy developments under five key pillars.
Review and development of the SNA role
Establishment of a quality framework
Establishment of a learning and development programme
Supporting SNA recruitment, retention and diversity
Development of a communications strategy
In addition, the Plan includes the following key outputs:
Circular 0032/2026 The Role of Special Needs Assistants
Circular 0022/2026 SNA Redeployment Scheme.
Circular 0039/2026 Contract of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in Standard Posts
Circular 0040/2026 Contract of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in Fixed-term posts
The review of the SNA employment contract delivers on a commitment contained in successive public service agreements, including the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026. Two new circulars provide for standard contracts and fixed term contracts. The combined primary and post-primary SNA contracts, modernise the employment framework for SNAs, ensure alignment with current employment law, and provide greater clarity and consistency for schools and staff. To support schools and SNAs a comprehensive guidance document accompanies the circulars.
A unified contract eliminates longstanding inconsistencies between sectors and ensures that all SNAs, regardless of setting, work to the same terms and expectations. At the same time, the contracts retain flexibility to reflect differing operational arrangements in schools. The revised contracts provide greater clarity regarding duties, responsibilities, working arrangements, and professional expectations.
As outlined in the SNA Workforce Development Plan a Post Implementation Review (PIR) is planned on its conclusion.
My department notes the outcome of the ballot by members of Fórsa to not accept the SNA Workforce Development Plan which was developed between the department, SNAs, Fórsa and other key stakeholders, and recommended for acceptance by Fórsa. The publication of the first ever SNA Workforce Development Plan on 3 June fulfils a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
SNAs, alongside schools, parents and advocacy groups, have consistently called for a clearer workforce plan to support and strengthen the SNA role. In response, the department developed the SNA Workforce Development Plan following a comprehensive two-year consultation and engagement process, which included input from approximately 13,000 SNAs, as well as students, parents, teachers, school leaders and other stakeholders, including Fórsa.
The overall aim of the SNA Workforce Development Plan is to support SNAs and strengthen the role into the future by recognising SNAs as professionals, providing greater clarity about their responsibilities, and ensuring appropriate training, development, and career supports in order to provide the best possible service to students with special educational needs in our schools.
The department awaits feedback from Fórsa’s engagement with their members as to the reasons behind this outcome and is available to work to constructively address relevant issues.
Further updates, including more information on the SNA Workforce Development Plan can be found on the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie
