Teaching Qualifications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (428)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

428. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she and the private secretary of her Department will meet with a union (details supplied) to discuss the updating of the educational requirements for new SNAs working within the education system; when the review of the education requirements for SNAs will begin; and her views on whether the current educational requirements for SNAs is out of touch with the requirements of the job and the needs of student. [9205/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department meets with Fórsa regularly in respect of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and, indeed, has established a forum which meets throughout the year specifically to engage with and consult on all matters relating to SNAs. Raising the minimum qualification for appointment as an SNA has been raised by Fórsa as a formal claim and has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Department is engaging in that process.

However, having considered the claim and, in particular, the period of time since they were set, the Department has indicated to Fórsa that it is open to reviewing the entry requirements for SNAs but has also agreed to a review of the SNA contract as part of the Building Momentum national pay agreement. This review is being prioritised which will then be followed by a review of the entry qualifications in due course.