Mr. Andy Pike:

Anyone watching will forgive the Deputy if he forgot one or two names. I can tell him he is not notorious among the people he used to work with, so one forgotten name will be forgiven.

I will ask Ms Galster to come in on the route to being an SNA and Ms Jordan can chip in around how people choose to be an SNA.

We think the UCD perspective on the value of its course is probably quite accurate. We would also say that moving from three D-grades in the old junior certificate straight to level 7 or level 8 would need some careful expert consideration. We pitched our claim to the Department at level 6 because we think that is a step up from where SNAs are at the moment in terms of the minimum essential qualifications, and it reflects the generality of the qualification that they hold in terms of an overall look at the sector.

As to managing the change, that would have to be done carefully. There are examples from the early years sector as to how that has happened and how it has been managed. We think it would turn the job into a viable career pathway, whereby people get training and get that piece of education done, and they would be better equipped to meet the needs of students in schools.

In terms of how people choose to be an SNA and the motivation, I will ask Ms Galster to comment.