Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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1018. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if SNA’s who do not have permanent contracts will be entitled to utilise the redeployment scheme her Department is establishing; if not, the reasoning behind this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40973/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Work to develop a Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Redeployment scheme is ongoing. This important policy initiative will ensure that competent, knowledgeable and experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, building capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children with special educational needs.

Undertaken in conjunction with work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, the SNA Redeployment scheme will be operated by the National Council for Education (NCSE). For the first time, it will allow SNAs in posts which may no longer be required for reasons such as falling enrolments, reduced care needs or changing demographics, to be redeployed to a school which has a vacant post.

It is intended that the SNA redeployment scheme will commence for the coming school year providing an opportunity to redeploy SNAs as the need arises for the start of the 2026/27 school year. The SNA redeployment scheme does not impact recruitment for this coming September.

Arrangements for the SNA Redeployment scheme scheme are not yet finalised and my department continues to engage with stakeholders on provisions in the scheme. Details of the SNA Redeployment scheme will be published on the NCSE website when this work is completed.