Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 5

Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.

Paul McGrath

Question:

181 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that special needs assistants in junior primary schools are working up to 27 and one third hours per week and hence do not qualify for holiday pay; if he will compare their rates of pay and holiday entitlements to their colleagues who are special needs assistants for children in first class of junior primary schools; and his plans for equalising the terms of employment for these workers. [8487/03]

Paul McGrath

Question:

182 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty being experienced by principal teachers in primary schools in the recruitment and retention of special needs assistants for junior classes due to the fact that these workers do not have holiday pay entitlements and will move to similar positions in more senior classes to better their pay and conditions of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8488/03]

Paul McGrath

Question:

183 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if overtime is payable when special needs assistants in junior primary schools must occasionally remain with their student outside of normal school times; and if teachers' in-service days are considered to be such. [8489/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together.

Children in infant classes attend school for a reduced daily period and the level of special needs assistant support they require is correspondingly reduced and is met through the allocation of part-time hours support. The duration of the service provided is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual children involved.

Part-time special needs assistants are contracted to deliver a specified number of hours service per week in the schools in which they are employed and are paid at an hourly rate. Under current legislation, 8% of total earnings is paid to each part-time special needs assistant in respect of holiday pay.

Overtime is not paid to special needs assistants who work more than the allocated hours. It is a matter for the schools management to determine the hours of work based on the number of hours allocated.

The terms and conditions of employment for all special needs assistants is currently under review within my Department and when the issues have been finalised my Department will ensure that all relevant people are issued with guidelines on the matter.