Sir, – I am writing in response to a letter (June 16th) in relation to a recent Department of Education and Skills circular 0030/2014 regarding the special needs assistant (SNA) scheme.
I would like to make it clear from the outset that there has been no reduction to the number of SNAs allocated to schools. There are presently 10,656 SNA posts allocated to schools, which is more than at any time previously.
Nor are reductions in SNA posts contemplated. In December 2013 the department announced it was increasing the number of SNAs by an additional 390 posts to 10,965 in order to reflect demographic growth and increased needs for SNA support. This will ensure that every child who needs access to SNA support will receive access to such support, in line with the department’s policy.
The purpose of the SNA circular is not to reduce the number of SNA posts being allocated to schools, but to clarify the scope and purpose of the SNA scheme. It restates and clarifies the role of a SNA, which is to assist the class teacher and resource teacher to provide for the care needs of pupils and it details the kind of care needs which SNAs are provided for.
Some parents have also expressed concern about whether children will be allocated SNA support on entering primary school for the first time. The circular is intended to facilitate the provision of SNAs to new primary pupils immediately, where this is required. However, for some new pupils, their need for SNA support only emerges over time and when this need becomes clear, SNA support is provided without delay.
There have also been suggestions that the circular means that there will no longer be SNAs available to support students in secondary school. That is not accurate. Secondary school students who need access to an SNA will continue to receive support from an SNA.
To address concerns that have been raised about the circular, the National Council for Special Education has been asked to develop an information booklet for parents in relation to the SNA scheme. – Yours, etc,
JIM MULKERRINS,
Special Education Unit,
Department
of Education and Skills,
Marlborough Street,
Dublin 1.