Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is very welcome, and I appreciate her coming in to take my matter. This is about supporting SNAs. We have in excess of 16,000 in our inclusive education system. That inclusive education is hugely important to everybody. It is an aspiration that children with special needs, and special educational needs, will have the opportunity to be educated in their own localities, along with siblings and neighbours, in mainstream schools. Without the 16,000 SNAs, who are the bedrock of the system, that would not be possible. It is the work of the SNAs, day in, day out, that helps to ensure these children can go to school and participate in education locally. Their care and compassion are a testament to them. I know many SNAs and, honestly, the care and comfort they give to children makes things so much easier for parents and, of course, teachers and the whole school community.

We have a record number of children in mainstream schools. I think approximately 38,000 students avail of an SNA. I commend the Minister of State on launching the national training programme for SNAs last year, because everyone within the school community requires continuous professional development. This is the first time a course has been put in place to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs, and that is very important. This is being done in conjunction with UCD over a period of four years. Some 500 SNAs started this training in January. I have spoken to a number of these SNAs. It is a very ambitious and in-depth programme, which is good, but there is a concern that there is a lack of accreditation for SNAs undertaking the programme and I think that is wrong. SNAs undertaking this programme, both the present cohort of 500 and those who will under take it, should be accredited when taking this course.

I take this opportunity to raise two applications for autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes in Newbridge, with the Minister of State. In Newbridge, we have a particular problem with a growing population and the need for extra places. St. Conleth and Mary's Primary School has an ongoing building programme. It has put in an application, which the Department supports, for a second badly-needed ASD class. The Holy Family Secondary School has also put in an application. I ask for the Minister of State’s support in these.

I have one other issue I would like to raise.I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Foley, on the extra €80 million funding that has been put in for the summer provision to help support both children with special needs and those with educational disadvantage and give them the opportunity to catch up on the education they have missed over the last 14 months. It is a really good programme. However, I hear of schools not taking this up. Are there extra supports or is there a plan B to ensure the €80 million is taken up for the children that need it?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As the Senator correctly pointed out, €2 billion, almost 25% of the total education budget, is going into special education this year. Budget 2021 provided for an additional 900 SNAs who are vital to the smooth running of the schools for children with additional needs. An unprecedented 18,000 will be in place by the year's end. They play a critical role in supporting children with additional needs, many of whom would not otherwise be able to attend school or participate in any school activities. Children often have a great attachment to their SNA. They attend to the significant care needs of students with complex needs and work under the direction of the class teacher to help ensure that class teaching and learning proceeds smoothly for all students.

Specifically, on the training programme in UCD, the Senator correctly pointed out it is the first SNA national training programme. The 2018 NCSE policy advice on the SNA scheme recommended that a new national training programme at level 5 of the national qualification framework be developed for existing SNAs who do not have the requisite level of training, and for new SNAs on appointment. That policy advice was considered at length by the Department. It was decided that priority should be given to the development of a training programme for SNAs who may not have had a recent opportunity to access a training programme tailored to their role. The aim was to provide an upskilling opportunity rather than a formal qualification. As the Senator set out, it is in UCD and 500 SNAs started in January, there is up to a maximum of 3,500.

On accreditation, as it is the very first national training programme, it is appropriate to take the time to review the outcomes from this training which will inform the future approach to ongoing training and professional development of SNAs. Part of that consideration would include accreditation. The programme is fully funded by the Department and delivered online at no cost to the SNA themselves. Completion of the programme may serve as a stepping stone to further education opportunities in this area. Each participant who completes the programme successfully will receive a certificate from the UCD school of education, which I think will be of assistance to them in pursuing further education. Some €2.45 million has been allocated over the next four-year period. The next cohort of SNAs due to take part will enrol in September 2021.

I appreciate what the Senator is saying around the care and comfort that is given and the compassion they give in their job every day. That is why the Department has rolled-out this national training programme for the first time. It is a stepping stone - it is not the end of the line, it is only the beginning. I have had great feedback from SNAs individually around it. I appreciate the issue around accreditation. It is something that will be considered as part of the outcomes of the review after we see how this first program actually transpires.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for her response. I commend her and the Department on setting this up. Education is very important. It has to be valued in its own right in what it does for the individual as well as the continuing professional development. Everybody in the education world needs the opportunity as there are always new things to learn. I appreciate that there will be a review of this first programme and the outcomes, but it is very important for those undertaking the course that there be a formal accreditation process and that when the outcomes are reviewed and when the question of accreditation is examined down the line, that it be given retrospectively to those taking the course now. It is important that it is recognised in its own right.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As I mentioned, part of the consideration of the review will include accreditation and no doubt the retrospective element will be considered as well. I am satisfied that the new training programme now in place is of very high quality. It will help the experience of our children with special needs in our schools.

The Senator mentioned Newbridge and St. Conleth and Mary's Primary School and the Holy Family Secondary School in relation to ASD classes. As Minister of State with responsibility for special education, I have an acute awareness of the dearth of ASD classes and will do all I can to assist in any school. The NCSE encourages schools, and particularly existing schools, to open ASD classes. I will certainly pass on those applications, and if they come in I will bring them to the attention of the Department.

To clarify on the summer provision, the funding is €40 million. I wish it was €80 million, although €40 million is double the amount last year. There are 81,000 children who will be eligible for summer provision this year. We have removed all barriers and impediments, as far as the Department is concerned, around the participation of schools in this programme over the next month in July and August.