Proposed reduction in Teachers and Special Needs Assistants to be debated by Education Committee

The effects of the proposed reduction in the number of teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) will be debated at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science tomorrow, Thursday, 11th March.

Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science, Paul Gogarty, TD, said: “Representatives from St. Joseph’s Special National School, Balrothery, Co. Dublin; Scoil Íosagain, Buncrana, Co. Donegal; St Anthony’s Special School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo; Scoil Caitríona, Renmore, Co. Galway; Scoil Aonghusa, Cashel, Co. Tipperary and members of Impact trade union will appear before the Committee to discuss the impact of any proposed reduction in the SNAs.

“Special Needs Assistants (SNA) help teachers in schools, by providing classroom support to pupils with a wide range of severe learning, physical or behavioural difficulties. Assistants may work in a special school or in mainstream national and secondary schools.

“An overview of the nature of the review on SNAs and its impact on the wider education sector will be provided by the National Council for Special Education, which will also outline why the provision of SNAs has been reduced in Special Needs Schools and whether this review conflicts with the full implementation of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004

“Officials from the Department of Education and Science will also attend the Committee meeting to discuss current and future policy proposals for SNAs.

“This meeting will provide key education providers on the ground and responsible State bodies with an opportunity to outline the current situation regarding SNAs and allow members of the Committee to raise any issues and make observations they have on SNAs.”

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 at 10 am on Thursday, 11th March, 2010.

This Committee meeting can be viewed on-line at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information, contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
E: ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie