Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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For far too long, the SNA has been very much the poor relation in the education system and is often an afterthought. The role was created almost 40 years ago and over that time, it has evolved enormously. SNAs play a crucial role and I hope this hearing and the review of minimum qualifications can be a new beginning for them in the Irish education system. The importance of the SNA role is underlined by the fact that every Deputy and Senator is inundated each year with queries from schools and parents who are unhappy at the allocation of SNAs for their school compared with what the children in the school needs. It reflects the feeling among schools that they are under severe pressure. They are unable to ensure that children can reach their fullest potential if they do not have an adequate allocation of SNAs.

Over the past four or five years, an additional 1,000 or 1,500 SNAs have been announced every year. That is one element in the budget that I have welcomed. However, I made the point to the Minister of State last week that the number announced is usually not realised. Around 800 SNAs are usually recruited. Part of the difficulty is that the job is not attractive enough for people to either enter as a career or stay in, despite how rewarding it is in several respects. That is one issue we need to crack.

I note the comment in Fórsa's opening statement that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education had indicated to Fórsa, through her private secretary, that she was open to considering the accreditation of the UCD programme but that Fórsa had not been informed of any further developments. The Minister of State commented on two reports she will review which will inform considerations on accreditation. That seems to at least indicate an openness to the accreditation question, which I welcome. Will the Minister of State like an opportunity to expand on that? Is she keen to see accreditation happen?

What type of timescale does she have in mind for that?