1215. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the concrete steps her Department will take to ensure that the genuine concerns of the 60% of SNAs who voted "no" in a recent ballot are actively listened to and resolved, rather than dismissed. [56095/26]

I value the central role that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play in the successful inclusion of students with special educational needs in schools. The number of SNAs has grown significantly, to support the increasing number of students with special educational needs, both in mainstream schools and in special schools. By the end of this year there will be approximately 26,000 SNAs in our education system.

As you will be aware my department published the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (the Plan) and a number of associated policy documents on the 3 June 2026.

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 actions set out in the Plan were developed over a period of more than two years through extensive meaningful engagement between my department, SNAs, school staff, Fórsa and other education stakeholders. An extensive examination of the SNA role was undertaken taking a child centred perspective, with the best interests of the children and young people serving as the key consideration. Further details on the Plan and the associated published documents are available on www.gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/special-needs-assistant-sna-workforce-development-plan/

My department recently responded to Fórsa’s letter outlining the outcome of their consultation ballot on the Plan and Local Pay Bargaining Offer. In that response, my department confirmed it remains committed to constructive engagement with Fórsa and is available to engage in relation to these matters.