Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the enormously positive work carried out every single day by our SNAs. The Deputy referred to two different types of leave. I have outlined the situation with regard to maternity health and safety leave. For clarity I will reference the second type, which is assault leave. Where an SNA is injured as a result of physical contact from a third party, causing physical injury in the course of their duties and during approved school activities, the SNA may apply for leave under the leave of absence following assault scheme. The provisions of this scheme provide for special leave with pay, subject to specified limits, to be afforded to an SNA who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following an assault that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities. The leave available under the scheme for leave of absence following assault is three months at full pay in a rolling four-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding three months at full pay, subject to an overall limit of six months at full pay in a rolling four-year period.

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