Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Joan McCrohan's elaboration on IMPACT's position on SNAs and its vision for them. I asked a question about proper respect, value, and SNAs being considered a general dogsbody by school principals. Having said that, this debate has been useful. I would definitely go lion hunting with Mr. Dessie Robinson. I have no doubt if he had my back that I would be safe. I know his first duty is to look after his members.

For a long time, an SNA has been appointed to a school consequent on the needs of the pupil.

Within that construct a special needs assistant can perform many valuable duties within the classroom, including non-teaching duties. This would free the teacher and give him or her more time to work with the pupil with special needs. This is one of the most crucial parts of the set-up. It links to the individual education plans and everything else. It is a difficult situation. As when a child is taken out of the classroom for learning support or resource teaching, in a whole-school sense the teacher and the staff must figure out the loss as well as the gain to the pupil of that withdrawal. It is a complex situation. I have visited many schools this year, including autism units and mainstream schools. As is the case with all the members of the deputations, I imagine, I have seen how the role of the SNA has developed and the valuable work done by SNAs. We can develop on that. I am not keen to see limits being applied to the role. Flexibility is important as well.