Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on her Department’s work to provide additional continuous professional development and supports to SNAs; if a focus group with SNAs has been set up to further this objective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22709/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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By the end of 2023, there will be over 20,000 SNAs working in our schools. SNAs make a valuable contribution to our school communities through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school.

My Department is very aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities for SNAs. In this regard, in December 2022, my Department established a dedicated SNA Workforce Development Unit in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role, including in the area of learning and development.

My Department currently funds the national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs. In addition to this formal training initiative the SNA Workforce Development Unit is currently developing a Learning and Development programme for SNAs. The aim of this programme is to increase the knowledge and expertise of SNAs and provide the means for building on their existing skills and competences.

As a first step in this process, SNA focus groups will take place in the coming weeks in locations around the country, to facilitate discussion and provide direct feedback to the Department on their learning and development needs.