INCREASE IN SNA POSTS WILL HELP MEET DEMANDS OF GROWING PUPIL NUMBERS

Posted on December 3, 2013 3:58 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Labour Party TD in Dublin Bay North, Sean Kenny, has said that he is pleased that the Cabinet has agreed to increase the cap on the number of SNAs to nearly 11,000 so that the needs of Ireland's growing school population can be met.

"I have been made aware by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, that he will continue to increase in the number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) by 390 for the next school year. This will bring the total number of SNAs in Ireland to almost 11,000."

"This extra allocation will help ensure that every child who has been deemed to require SNA support will get that support. It is worth pointing out that the previous Fianna Fáil Government decided in December 2010 to cap the number of SNA posts and that cap has remained in place since its introduction."

"Given that the number of pupils in our schools has continued to increase since then and the demand for SNAs has also grown, it is great news that despite being in tough situation economically, the Government can now afford to start increasing this cap."

"170 SNA posts will be made available immediately, with a further 220 posts available next year. The NCSE will assign the new SNA posts on the basis of assessed need. I am very pleased at this development as it shows the Government is looking forward and not merely focussed on the present."