Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
432. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education her views on the additional 72 hours that all special needs assistants are expected to work each year under the Croke Park Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6417/22]
View answerAs part of the agreement between my Department, the relevant unions and school management boards of a standard contract for all SNA's in 2005, all SNAs have been required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term, not exceeding 12 days in total.
Under the Croke Park Agreement it was agreed to introduce greater flexibility to the use of these 12 days. Accordingly, DES Circular 71/2011 was issued on 15 December 2011 which outlined that these 12 days now equate to 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs) to be used by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year.
The scope of this circular is for all SNAs employed in recognised Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools and by ETBs. It doesn’t make any distinctions between any SNAs (whether standard or cover posts), except to provide for part-time SNAs only doing pro-rata Croke Park hours (i.e. the appropriate percentage of the total 72-hours commitment).
While my Department published the Circular 71/2011 (see link below) in respect of the Croke Park Hours for SNAs, it is a matter for local school management (as the employers) to arrange the delivery of the hours from their staff (including SNAs), as the needs of schools and individual students across all sectors are very diverse. However, point 9 of Appendix 1 of this circular does provide possible examples (not an exhaustive listing) of the type of work that may be undertaken by SNA’s within their '72 hours' obligations. Both the Department and management bodies are of the strong view that the 72 hours play an important role in the effective operation of schools. The use of these hours forms part of a review agreed under the Building Momentum national agreement due to take place this year.
circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/education/2011/71.pdf
