975 special needs assistants will be employed across the country in national and primary schools in September.
The Taoiseach discussed the allocation of almost a thousands new SNAs during this morning’s meeting with the Cabinet.
This was in response to Sinn Féin deputy Mary Lou McDonald’s question in the Dáil to the Taoiseach, highlighting that parents are at their “wits end” due to the ambiguity surrounding whether or not they will have access to an SNA.
Moreover, Varadkar also announced that the allocation of SNAs will take place earlier in the academic year.
Education Minister Richard Bruton is to issue a statement in the coming days outlining the changes.
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Leas Cheann Comhairle, has welcomed this news, however he says that the delay in making the announcement is unhelpful as this approval is later this year than any previous year.
He says; “It is now going to be essential that the Department of Education convey the necessary sanctioning to each and every school so that they can immediately pursue recruitment and the hiring of the extra staff where there is no prior existing panels.”
Pat the Cope stated that SNAs play an essential and important role, and as such must be supported by the Department and the Government.
“I am urging that no further delays occur in finalising this Government decision in order for School authorities to plan for their year ahead in an orderly fashion,” he concluded.
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