Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
313. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to allow special needs assistants to take unpaid leave for the purpose of undertaking teaching practice when retraining as a primary or secondary school teacher. [54254/18]
View answerSpecial Needs Assistants are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities, who have additional and significant care needs, in an educational context. They may be appointed to a special school or a mainstream school to assist school authorities in making suitable provision for a pupil or pupils with special care needs. The first priority is that the care needs of the pupils are met on an ongoing basis during the school year.
In June 2012, my Department, in conjunction with the School Management Bodies and the relevant Trade Unions, agreed a Career Break Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools, the provisions for which are contained in Circular Letter 22/2012 which is available on my Department’s website.
Paragraph 1.2 of the Circular states:
“ The main objectives of this scheme which are not exhaustive, is for employers, wherever possible to facilitate applicants in the areas of:
- Personal Development
- Education (including teacher training)
- Public Representation
- Childcare/Dependent care
- Self-employment”
The Career Break Scheme therefore is applicable to Special Needs Assistants who wish to pursue courses such as teacher training where participants are required to spend significant periods of time on school observation/teaching practice during the school year.
