Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department requires a person working as a special needs assistant, and who wishes to accept a place on the online higher diploma in arts in primary education course with a college (details supplied), to take a two year career break; his views on whether this requirement makes it financially impossible for many persons working as SNAs to undertake the course; and if he will review policy in this matter. [37918/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities, in an educational context. They may be appointed to a special school or a mainstream national school to assist school authorities in making suitable provision for a pupil or pupils with special care needs arising from a disability. The first priority is that the care needs of the children are met on an ongoing basis during the school year.

In June 2012, my Department, in conjunction with the School Management Bodies and the relevant Trade Unions, agreed a Career Break Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools, the provisions for which are contained in Circular Letter 22/2012. The purpose of the scheme is to enable employers, wherever possible, to facilitate applicants to take time off to engage in, among other things, personal development and education (including teacher training). This scheme therefore is applicable for courses referred to by the Deputy where participants are required to attend teaching practice and be absent from the provision of care duties for significant periods of time during the school year.

My Department has no plans to review the leave arrangements as outlined in Circular 22/2012.