More Special Needs Assistants will be provided next term

A TOTAL of 800 additional Special Needs Assistants (SNA) will be allocated to schools for the beginning of the next school year with a further 140 expected to be allocated over the period September to December 2018.

Of this total, 227 extra SNAs will be allocated to Dublin schools in September. 

Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, said the aim of this Government is to ensure that children with special educational needs can be supported to fully participate in schools and fulfil their potential. 

“Special Needs Assistants play a key role in ensuring this and I would like to firstly take this opportunity to pay credit to the fantastic work that they do,” said Minister Bruton. 

“More children with Special Educational Needs are participating than ever before and we are investing more than ever before to support this. 

“In 2018 my Department will invest in the region of €1.75 billion in special education, almost one fifth of the entire education budget and 39 percent increase on 2011.”

Minister Bruton said he was extremely pleased to be able to make the announcement this month. He said it was in keeping with the commitment made last year to inform schools of their September 2018 allocation by the end of May. 

“By dealing with funding for SNA posts as part of the normal annual Estimates process, I am able to announce the allocations at a time when they can give certainty to school communities at the earliest opportunity,” he added.

Local public representatives have welcomed the allocations for schools in their respective constituencies.