Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will release the circular pertaining to additional leave entitlements to special needs assistants, as agreed upon with a union (details supplied) some months ago. [40087/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Leave entitlements for public servants are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR). Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for Special Needs Assistants employed in approved posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.

Such terms and conditions of employment are normally outlined by way of a Circular Letter, following detailed consultations and negotiations which take place at the SNA Industrial Relations Forum. The SNA Industrial Relations Forum, provides a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary and other terms and conditions of service for SNAs which is made up of Fórsa representatives, along with School Management Bodies representatives and the Department of Education.

The matter of additional leave entitlements for SNAs has been raised and is currently being progressed. On the 23rd May 2024, my Department published Circular Letter 0052/2024 titled ‘Leave for Candidates in General and Local Elections for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’, which allows for a period of leave to an SNA who has put themselves forward as a candidate in a general or local election. Discussions are currently ongoing at the SNA Industrial Relations Forum in relation to leave entitlements for SNAs who have been elected public representatives.

In addition to this, a circular detailing Special Leave for Sporting Purposes for SNAs is currently in the latter stages of review and agreed entitlements will be notified to the relevant stakeholders by way of a Circular Letter, on conclusion of this process.