Special needs assistants, SNAs, may be approved to support pupils who have a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for such support are outlined in my Department's circular 07/02.
Where the care needs of a pupil are verified by my Department's professionals, schools may deploy the existing SNA under the terms of my Department's circular SP ED 24/03, until such time as a determination as to the appropriate level of SNA support within the school has been conveyed to the school authority.