Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will amend circular 0030/2014 which defines the role of SNAs as one of care needs only given the actual work and role played by SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24719/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a critical role in supporting the inclusion of pupils with significant care needs in education and in school life. This was acknowledged in the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018.

The majority of children with special educational needs attend school without specific care supports other that provided by the child’s class or subject teacher.

It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to ensure that each pupil is taught in a stimulating and supportive classroom environment where all pupils feel equal and valued.

The SNA scheme was put in place to provide for the minority of students who have significant need for care support to the extent that they would not be able to attend school without such additional support. The role of the SNA is to attend to the significant care needs of students with complex needs. SNAs work under the direction of the class teacher to help ensure that class teaching and learning proceeds smoothly for all students . They support children with disabilities to integrate into school life and to develop their independent living skills. SNAs do not have a teaching role.

SNAs are whole school resources to be allocated to meet the needs of those students in greatest need.

The operation of the SNA scheme is set out in the Department’s Circular 0030/2014. Circulars like this are developed in consultation with stakeholders including staff interests. There are no plans to amend this circular.