Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. My question relates to equality and to how people are treated in the workplace. Special needs assistants, SNAs, do not receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. I was saddened and disappointed when my colleague, Conor Sheehan, in Limerick raised the issue of the entitlements of SNAs on their return to work. Primary school teachers are currently allowed one hour outside of their lunch break to express milk on returning to work, yet an SNA who returns to work at the same school is given 20 minutes but within her break.

The issue has been raised on several occasions in parliamentary questions tabled by colleague, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, but the response we have received is that it remains under consideration. I ask that SNAs be treated in schools in the same way as teachers.They should be given the same entitlements and opportunity to express milk for their child, and not be corralled into 20 minutes. I ask for SNAs to be treated with equality in the workplace and to get the same entitlements that teachers currently enjoy.