Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
259. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs assistant can be employed as a substitute during the year after which they have been made redundant without having to repay their redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49585/13]
View answerThe detailed arrangements regarding supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 2013/2014 school year are set out in Departmental Circular 0037/2013 which issued on 1 July 2013 and which is available on the Department's website at the following address: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0037_2013.pdf
With effect from 1 May 2013 once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service is notified by his/her employer that he/she is to be made redundant then he/she shall be deemed to be a member of a Supplementary Assignment Panel for SNAs. With the exception of SNAs who have been re-employed in other schools or who have chosen to opt out of the panel in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 39 of the circular, all SNAs who have been made redundant since 1 May 2013 are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.
Paragraph 18 of Circular 37/2013 indicates that Supplementary Assignment Panel rules do not apply to the filling of substitute or "cover" vacancies i.e. Maternity Leave, Sick Leave, Career Breaks etc.
Accordingly, a person who is employed as a substitute SNA will not have to reimburse the Department in respect of any redundancy compensation payment that they may have received, or may be entitled to receive.
