347. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason special needs assistants are required to attend in-service training courses in their own time outside of school hours, without receiving either leave in lieu or monetary payment; if she will review the mechanism for the provision of such courses for SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47316/26]

My department published the first Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan (the Plan) and a number of associated policy documents on the 3 June 2026.

The SNA workforce has grown significantly in recent years and now comprises almost 25,000 staff across primary, post-primary and special schools. Built around five strategic pillars, the plan recognises the vital contribution SNAs make to supporting children and young people with additional educational needs and enabling their full participation in school life. It sets out a clear framework to strengthen and support SNAs through enhanced professional development, greater role clarity, workforce sustainability measures and stronger collaboration across school communities.

The Plan and associated published documents are available on www.gov.ie at Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/special-needs-assistant-sna-workforce-development-plan/.

It is intended that the Learning and Development Programme proposed under pillar 3 of the Plan will support SNAs and schools by providing equitable access to appropriate, legitimate opportunities for training and development, to ensure that SNAs are equipped to meet the diverse needs of students in an evolving educational environment.

SNAs play a key role in helping students with special educational needs to take part in school, whether in mainstream classes, special classes or in special schools. SNA support helps these students to access an education to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

The 72 hours working requirement of SNA’s has been in place since 2005, forming part of the SNA contract of employment, as agreed with unions. Under the terms of the standard employment contract agreed in 2005, SNAs were required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term, not exceeding 12 in total. Under the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement, it was agreed to convert that requirement to one of 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs), for use by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year. These arrangements were notified to schools in 2011, in Department Circular 0071/2011.

This additional time outside of classroom hours (up to a maximum of 72 hours per school year) is used to complete training and upskilling as well as planning, reviewing and collaboration with colleagues. It allows SNAs to complete these important tasks without taking away from the time spent supporting students during the school day.

Circular 0032/2026 (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/fe9133ae/0032_2026.pdf) which was published by my department on 3 June 2026 provides for revised arrangements from the coming school year 2026/2027. Along with the accompanying Guidance Document (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/dd6bdf99/Guidance_on_the_Role_of_the_SNA_EV.pdf) it aims to ensure schools and SNAs are clear on the purpose and uses for this time and to mitigate against any misuse. Under the new circular the additional hours are broken down into two main areas:

- School Community Time (maximum 36 hours) to include student support planning and review,

and

- Learning and Development Time (maximum 36 hours) to include training and upskilling for SNAs.

Duties carried out and recorded as School Community Time must be appropriate to the SNA role and similarly, any training recorded under the Learning and Development Time must be relevant to the SNA role and duties.

I am pleased that the Plan and the associated documents have now been published and I look forward to working together with SNAs, schools and stakeholders to implement the actions set out in the Plan.