Fórsa, Ireland’s largest public service union, will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Youth today (Wednesday) to call for urgent action on the recruitment and retention of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).
Representing over 20,000 SNAs working in primary, post-primary and special schools, Fórsa has said the profession is at risk unless the SNA role is properly recognised and supported.
Andy Pike, the head of Fórsa’s Education division, will address the committee this afternoon. He commented: “SNAs have built up their skills and have become a professionalised workforce, providing vital support to tens of thousands of students with additional needs.
“However, while we have seen the role develop into a potent force for equality and accessibility, Fórsa members report feeling excluded from school life, treated as unqualified staff, and denied equal treatment compared to their teaching colleagues.
“This is why we’ve pushed for updated qualifications. The minimum entry requirement has not changed since 1979. Fórsa wants QQI Level 6 recognised as the new standard, reflecting the qualifications already held by most SNAs.” He said the failure to recognise the academic achievements of SNAs was demoralising, and symptomatic of the lack of recognition and respect afforded to them.
Mr Pike will tell the committee later today (from 12.30) that the union continues to place a strong focus on professional recognition and career progression for SNAs: “The SNA Workforce Development Plan, which we expect to see shortly, must reflect that SNAs support both care and learning, and to properly redefine the role,” he said, adding that Fórsa has called for promotional opportunities in order to create real career pathways, and to prevent the loss of skilled SNAs to other sectors.
He added: “SNAs are central to inclusive education, and to ensuring that children with additional needs can learn alongside their peers. The SNA Workforce Development Plan must deliver real change, not only in qualifications and conditions, but in how SNAs are respected as equal members of the school community. Without that respect, recruitment and retention will remain a challenge.”
Mr Pike also highlighted the need for parity with teachers on terms and conditions like maternity, illness and injury leave. He also called for the full implementation of the SNA redeployment scheme, announced by the Minister for Education earlier this year.
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