The Minister for Education has said that from September 2027 no school will lose more than one special needs assistant (SNA) per year, as part of new measures aimed at stabilising staffing and improving planning in schools, reports Breaking News.
Hildegarde Naughton announced the commitment while presenting a new Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan that was approved by Cabinet on Wednesday, reports Breaking News.
She also confirmed that there will be no reduction in SNA allocations for any school during the 2026/2027 academic year, reports Breaking News.
The plan follows controversy earlier this year when a proposed review and reallocation process, which could have resulted in schools losing SNA support, was abandoned after widespread protests from parents and education stakeholders, reports Breaking News.
Launching the new framework at Government Buildings, Ms Naughton said the plan is the result of two years of consultation involving SNAs, advocacy groups, education bodies, parents, and young people, reports Breaking News.
She said the initiative is designed to provide clearer structure and long-term stability for the SNA system, while also introducing a redeployment mechanism to retain experienced staff within the education system, reports Breaking News.
The plan also sets out the introduction of minimum educational requirements for new entrants to the profession, alongside expanded training and professional development opportunities, reports Breaking News.
Ms Naughton said these changes are intended to strengthen the role of SNAs and improve collaboration with teachers in supporting students with additional needs, reports Breaking News.
She described the publication of the plan as a “historic day” for the approximately 26,000 SNAs working across the country, and said the role will increasingly focus on supporting pupils’ independence, emotional regulation, and transitions through the school system, reports Breaking News.
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