Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the various bodies for their submissions. I thank Senator Moran, in particular, for the work she has done in her role as rapporteur on this important issue. Ms Lynch of the National Parents Council - Primary suggested that "an over-dependence on SNA support can lead to social isolation". One of the aims of any good teacher should be to make himself or herself redundant. This will happen if the teacher's pupils disgrace him or her with the knowledge they have. The same thing can be said of an SNA. A parent should be very happy if his or her child no longer needs an SNA in the school situation, as long as everything else is fine at the end of the day. We have to focus on that, but it should not be used as an excuse to take away an SNA. Nevertheless, it is a very good point. We should always remember that one of the roles of the National Council for Special Education and the Department of Education and Skills is to monitor that. I am interested in the idea of peer support for pupils with special needs who need SNA support. Does it contradict the assertion in the submission that SNA support is highly specialised? What type of peer support is envisaged? It is a good idea. It can happen. What are the limits and tolerances associated with it? Where are the avenues for such support?

I would like to say in response to the IMPACT presentation that the SNA role is developing in schools. I would say it has reached a maturation. I do not wish to be too critical. I do not know whether it is fair to say that the SNA is being treated as a "dogsbody" in our schools. Such a suggestion is very hard on teachers and, in particular, on principals. I would like to know how or in what way this can be said to be the case. What empirical evidence is there for it? Have industrial relations mechanisms been invoked? Has the question of the teacher treating the SNA like a "dogsbody" been negotiated and discussed with the Irish Primary Principals Network and other organisations? Having worked with SNAs as a school principal for many years, I find that suggestion very hurtful. I do not consider it to be true. I ask that it be explained to me. I was disappointed that the IMPACT submission never mentioned the children at all in terms of the role of the SNA. If IMPACT has a problem with the INTO or any other group, it should bring it to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. It should let people know that their fellow workers are treating other workers like a "dogsbody".