Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by thanking the committee for facilitating today's discussion, which will feed into the report on the role of the special needs assistant, which I have undertaken as rapporteur. I welcome the representatives of IMPACT, the National Parents Council Primary, the Department of Education and Skills and the NCSE. Since taking over as rapporteur for the committee report on the role of the SNA, I have undertaken a wide consultation with educational stakeholders on this matter. I have met with many groups and individuals, held a public meeting, in addition to the previous ones, for SNAs and conducted an online survey, to which I received responses from over 2,500 SNAs. I have a great deal to say on how this will feed into it.

The representatives and groups here today met the committee a year and a half ago to discuss this matter. Their contributions have been noted and I requested this meeting in order for the groups and representatives to provide any further thoughts or observations. Since I have taken over this role in recent months, I have had the pleasure of speaking with many special needs assistants. The one thing that comes through, and everyone will agree, is the dedication and the passion they have for their jobs. On one of the nights when I had a meeting, it was freezing cold, lashing rain, some of them had travelled from Dublin, and I was really grateful to them for coming out in their free time. That is probably the first point I want to make, namely, how much of the work of SNAs is done off their own bat, often without any credit or acknowledgement.

The SNAs are also very anxious to have their role more clearly defined. The role is evolving. The special needs assistants are widely recognised as being crucial in providing accessibility to mainstream education for children with additional needs and at times provide the support necessary for some children even to attend school. Clearly they have a significant effect on the schools they work in and on our education system as a whole. Much of my reading, discussion and first-hand experience confirms that the role of the SNA has expanded beyond the role outlined in the circular on SNAs by the Department of Education and Skills.

To best support the child and to provide the appropriate employment and expectations for the SNA, we need to work together to strike the right balance. We cannot continue to ignore the reality which no longer matches the policy. I have a number of questions for the panel. I am not too sure I have time to ask the questions now.