Mr. Dessie Robinson:

I believe training should be provided to give them certain skills. Perhaps they do not need training as teaching assistants, but they should receive training in recognising the needs of the child under the direction of the teacher. I know it is easy for members to see the SNA as providing a care need, because that is the role as described on paper. However, it is completely different in the school. Many SNAs already carry out a lot of these functions. I see the need to regularise the situation and to get the balance right.