Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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463. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the disparity for accreditation of similar SNA courses in different third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10279/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education.

I believe the Deputy is aware of the current pilot national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative, which will enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs who are crucial to the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. This is a high-quality and innovative pilot training programme which will inform ongoing policy considerations relating to future training options for SNAs.

The 2018 Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) includes a recommendation for the provision of a national online training programme. Arising from this recommendation the Department of Education awarded a four-year contract to University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education to design and deliver a new national online training programme for SNAs employed in schools. The programme is fully funded by the Department of Education and delivered at no cost to the SNA.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous with regard to their academic affairs. Designated awarding bodies, such as UCD, hold their own statutory awarding powers and have established processes and procedures for the validation of the courses and awards that they offer. The validation of these courses and awards is subject to each Institution’s internal quality assurance processes. These processes are established in line with the corresponding standards and criteria for award types and levels on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). UCD has advised the Department of Education that work has commenced to accredit its SNA programme under the University’s programme approval procedures. This programme will result in a Level 6 Special Purpose Award on the NFQ. UCD is also considering how previous graduates from the programme might have their award accredited retrospectively.

Approximately 1,300 SNAs have completed this programme to date and it is intended that the programme will be delivered to up to 3,500 SNAs over the four year scheme. The Department of Education has advised they will review this pilot after the four year term is complete.