Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been any policy change by his Department in the training offered to special needs assistants, SNAs, to perform certain procedures such as catherisation; if it is the policy of his Department that it is acceptable and suitable that such training should be provided by the parents of children who require such procedures; if his Department continues to offer training by medical professionals in these types of procedures to SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35782/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme provides schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.

My Department’s Circular 0030/2014 sets out that catheterisation is considered a primary care need (toileting) which warrants Special Need Assistant (SNA) support where a child with special needs cannot independently self-toilet, and until such time as they are able to do so. The Circular was developed following discussion with all relevant stakeholders.

The Department of Health has confirmed that catheterisation can be carried out by persons who are not medically qualified following education, training and assessment of ability to undertake the procedure safely.

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are employed by the managerial authorities of individual schools or by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The Board of Management is the SNA's employer and the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management, subject to Departmental guidelines.

When appointing an SNA, it is a matter for the Board of Management to ensure that SNAs are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of the pupil(s) for whom SNA support has been allocated in the school. Where additional training is required in order to carry out the assigned duties, the school authorities should arrange for the appropriate training to be provided to enable SNAs attend to the pupil’s care needs.

In some instances parents may be the most appropriate trainers for SNAs in relation to the catheterisation needs of their child in the school environment, as these parents have received comprehensive training from experienced staff in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin or Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. The HSE’s Continence Care Adviser is also available to advise in relation to the management of incontinence.

Where specific training is required, the Board of Management should liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNAs to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner. It is a matter for individual school authorities to make such arrangements locally.

My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. Should a parent be dissatisfied with the manner in which the resources or facilities which have been provided to support their child's education are being applied in school, they should raise this matter directly with their school Principal or the Board of Management of the school.

SNAs should address any concerns they may have in relation to their assigned duties to the school Principal or Board of Management, as their employer.