Background
SNAs make a valuable contribution to school communities, through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school. Many students would not be in a position to attend school without SNA support.
Similar to the significant increase in the paraprofessional workforce internationally aimed at facilitating inclusive education,1 the number of SNAs in Irish schools has grown exponentially since the introduction of this role, from 270 in 1997 to almost 23,000 at the time of publication of this report.
In December 2022, the DE established a dedicated unit — the SNAWDU — within its Special Education section, in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role and any reform or development required.
The unit was established to adopt a more strategic approach to SNA policy development, with the objective of developing an enhanced SNA service which delivers the best outcomes for children with additional and significant care needs in primary and post-primary education.
In October 2023, the DE announced the establishment of the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan. Work began on the development of the plan by the DE in January 2024.
The plan will reflect a consistent and strategic approach to meeting present and future needs of the SNA workforce. It will encompass an understanding of the SNA role and how SNAs, and others in the school community, can best be supported to provide the most effective service to children and young people in primary and post-primary educational settings.
Link to report ,