Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Over recent months, we have rightfully heard how truly essential our SNAs are. This was never not the case. However, it has never been reflected in their remuneration and conditions of employment. Right now, more than 500 SNAs are taking an extraordinarily difficult course at UCD, where some of them have worked in excess of 60 hours since January trying to improve their skills, knowledge and awareness. At the end of that, they will not be given an accreditation comparable with any other course of a similar difficulty being offered in the country. That is simply unacceptable. Why does the Department and the Government not put their money where their mouth is in relation to SNAs to ensure they are accredited properly for the work that they are doing and, beyond that, ensure their pay and conditions are commensurate with how truly essential their contribution is to schools throughout this country?

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