Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the situation regarding the contracts of employment for special needs assistants; the person whose responsibility it is to decide if SNAs are entitled to job sharing opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4663/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The contract of employment for Special Needs Assistants was agreed following discussions between the representatives of the managerial authorities, the Unions (IMPACT and SIPTU) and my Department. The terms of the contract are outlined in the contract of employment form contained in Circular SNA 15/05 for primary schools or Circular SNA 12/05 for second level schools. Furthermore, Special Needs Assistants are subject to a set of standardised terms and conditions of employment as detailed in the relevant circulars issued and amended by my Department from time to time. There is no agreed Departmental circular or scheme which allows job-sharing for Special Needs Assistants. However, discussions have commenced between officials from my Department, the school managerial authorities and both IMPACT and SIPTU to examine the possibility of creating an agreed job-sharing scheme for Special Needs Assistants.