Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the motion which Sinn Féin will support and the amendment put forward by Deputy Thomas Byrne as they are logical. I acknowledge the invaluable work of special needs assistants. We cannot underestimate the difference they make to a student. They can be the difference in allowing a student to attend mainstream school and very helpful in dealing with any issue being experienced by the student, not just from an educational perspective. They are an excellent support for students, even those in the classroom who may not require or qualify for an SNA. I have direct experience of how good they are, as I have seen in my son's classroom how they have helped many children, not just the student to whom they have been assigned. They go above and beyond the call of duty.

There are nearly 35,000 students with additional needs and it is important that they be supported and allowed to reach their full potential. In April 2015 the then Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, made several promises to tackle the problems in working conditions for special needs assistants in schools. Unfortunately, we still have no proper job security or permanent contracts for SNAs and they are key element of the motion which refers to a full-time and permanent contract. There are cases where we know a student will require a special needs assistant from junior infants to sixth class, but there is a crazy process whereby every year the person must apply for the job. He or she does not know if he or she will be kept on in the post and this has a knock-on effect for the rest of life. For example, it may be very difficult for such persons to qualify for a mortgage or even a basic credit union loan if there is no job security or a permanent contract. We must think of how these elements relate to the issue. It is not good enough to just say we want to try to support students and parents. We need to act and ensure special needs assistants are given support and whatever training they believe they need to carry out their role.

I will mention St. Rose's in Dublin, a reading school for children with dyslexia. This September it will have no special needs assistants. Three pupils have been diagnosed as needing a special needs assistant in the coming September, but none has been assigned. As this is a school that deals, in particular, with dyslexic children, it is difficult to know how that has happened. I welcomed the increase in the allocation of special needs assistants which we thought was a great step forward, but a number of parents are still coming to me to say they are struggling and having difficulty in qualifying for a special needs assistant. Therefore, it is difficult to see how this comes together; there was an announcement of additional special needs assistants, but it does not seem to be playing out in practice.

I also agree with the motion which proposes that substitute work be taken into consideration to enable special needs assistants to gain entry to the supplementary assignment panel. It would be a really good move and help many people currently engaged in substitute work who may find themselves ineligible for inclusion in the panel. Continuous professional development is recognised as being vital in changing roles, especially when working with children. There are also the various needs of children; therefore, it is important that special assistants be given access to such professional development. Deputy Thomas Byrne mentioned respect. The best way to respect somebody's very important role in society is through rewarding that person in his or her terms and conditions and by providing a permanent contract and ensuring correct pay. We must give the people concerned continuous training.

This is a really important role and we must ensure we do not lose people. We see a crisis in the teaching sector as teachers are not staying in the role. This could potentially happen with special needs assistants too if we do not change the sector. We cannot ask people to stay in precarious jobs in which they do not know if they will have a contract. It is not the reality of people's lives. They need to know as much as possible where they stand. Having a permanent contract is key. We support the motion.

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