Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the SNA Workforce Plan; the date on which it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51808/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

My department recognises the role and value of SNAs. The SNA service comprising more than 23,000 SNAs plays a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special schools and special classes.

Work on the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (the plan) is in the final stages and expected to be presented for Minister’s consideration in the coming weeks.

It has involved significant consultation with SNAs and other stakeholders including school management bodies, the unions, schools, parents and children.

The Plan will encompass an understanding of the SNA role and how they and other stakeholders can be supported to provide the most effective service to children with significant additional care needs in our schools.

Key areas that the plan will address are:

• Pillar 1 - Review and Development of the SNA role

• Pillar 2 - Establishment of a Quality Assurance Framework

• Pillar 3 - Establishment of a SNA Learning and Development Programme

• Pillar 4 - Supporting SNA Recruitment, Retention and Diversity

• Pillar 5 - Development of a Communications Strategy

The SNA Workforce Development Plan will deliver an enhanced Special Needs Assistants service which provides the best care in our schools to students with significant care needs.

This will set out a pathway for supporting our highly valued and important SNA workforce in our school system.

To date research and analysis for the Plan includes:

a) Separate focus groups with SNAs, school leaders and teachers. Reports are published on www.gov.ie.

b) The first national survey of SNAs for which the report is published on www.gov.ie The survey received 7,401 responses, comprising 35% of the SNA workforce.

c) The Role of Special Needs Assistants: Report on the Consultation with Children and Young People is imminent.

I am pleased that my department has established this dedicated unit to deliver the SNA Workforce Development Plan which will ensure an enhanced SNA service is provided to children with significant care needs.

My department remains committed to delivering this plan imminently, and to continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure that SNAs are equipped to provide the highest standard of care and inclusion for students in our schools.