I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167 and 168 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for his questions and assure him that I very much value the vital role that the 21,500 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our schools play in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs.
In order to ensure SNAs are supported to provide the most effective service to children with significant care needs in our schools, my Department has established an SNA Workforce Development Unit (SNAWDU) in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role and any reform or development required. Work is progressing on the first Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan with a scheduled completion date of September 2025.
The key areas that the plan will address are:
– Pillar 1 - Review and Development of the SNA role
– Pillar 2 - Establishment of a Quality Assurance Framework
– Pillar 3 - Establishment of a SNA Learning and Development Programme
– Pillar 4 - Supporting SNA Recruitment, Retention and Diversity
– Pillar 5 - Development of a Communications Strategy
The plan is being developed in direct consultation and collaboration with SNAs and other key stakeholders including school leaders, teachers, parents and students, giving all parties an opportunity to provide input and share views on the future development and direction of the SNA service.
Research undertaken for the plan includes focus groups with SNAs convened in May 2023 and the first national survey of SNAs earlier this year to which over 7,400 SNAs responded. The associated reports are available on the government website www.gov.ie .
In response to direct feedback from SNAs my Department has developed a dedicated Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Information Hub (www.gov.ie/en/publication/2a977-special-needs-assistant-sna/ ) on the government website providing a repository of relevant information and resources for SNAs in one convenient online location.
SNAs are represented on each of the five working groups set up under each pillar of the plan. A dedicated SNA Stakeholder Group has also been established with representatives from a variety of school settings to provide direct feedback on proposals.
The work undertaken by the working group under Pillar 4 Supporting SNA Recruitment, Retention and Diversity includes an extensive review of the SNA contract of employment currently set out in Circulars 12/2005 and 15/2005.
I am pleased that SNAs along with other key stakeholders are actively contributing to the SNA Workforce Development Plan providing practical and strategic input with a view to delivering an enhanced SNA service to children with significant care needs in our schools.
In relation to the issues raised around SNA salaries and pensions, I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to the delivery of quality public services and continues to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer.
This has been achieved through a series of national collective agreements, agreed between trade unions and the Government, applying across the public sector. The most recent Public Service Agreement (PSA), which was collectively agreed between ICTU and the Government was finalised on 26th January 2024, provides for several pay increases for public sector employees, including Special Needs Assistants, covering the period from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
Following implementation of increases under ‘Building Momentum’ and the PSA 2024 to 2026, from 1 October 2024, the starting pay for an SNA has increased to just under €30,000 and rises to a maximum of around €47,000.
SNA’s have also benefited from the application of an increase of €1,100 to the current long service increment point, raising the maximum pay level for a SNA, through Building Momentum’s ‘sectoral bargaining’ process.
There are further increases planned under the PSA of at least 5% between now and the summer of 2026. In addition, SNAs will have access to a local bargaining fund to deal with outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations, awards and claims.
