Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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640. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing for all currently staffed special needs assistants (SNA's) to complete the UCD online training designed for further training of SNAs over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30039/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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My department is committed to supporting Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to access high-quality training that enhances their skills and supports their vital role in our schools.

The SNA National Training Programme, which was first made available to SNAs in 2021, is fully funded by my department and delivered at no cost to SNAs who are currently employed in recognised schools. Approximately 2,962 SNAs have completed the course to date, with a further 881 SNAs expected to graduate this year.

While it is not possible to give an exact response to the question posed by the Deputy as such an undertaking would be subject to a procurement process I can confirm that the National Training Programme for SNAs currently costs approximately €760 per student. It is notable that the national survey of SNAs conducted in 2024 indicates 70% of the 23,000 strong workforce already hold an equivalent qualification.

In February 2025 I announced a €1.9m contract for the continuation of the SNA National Training Programme. Following a procurement process, the contract was awarded to Atlantic Technological University to continue the provision of this programme from September 2025. The course will be led by St Angela’s Campus in Lough Gill, Co. Sligo and will be jointly offered between the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies at ATU St Angela’s. Registration for 2025/26 is currently open on the ATU website .

Separately I am pleased that work by my department on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan is progressing in collaboration with key stakeholders The plan which is scheduled for publication later this year will establish a SNA Learning and Development Programme including opportunities for continuous learning and development which will complement the SNA National Training Programme.

I am pleased that my department is continuing to fund the high-quality SNA National Training Programme programme and I am committed to supporting SNAs through appropriate learning and development opportunities.