14 extra SNAs to be hired in Westmeath schools
Fourteen extra special needs assistants (SNAs) will be hired in County Westmeath schools this September, says Peter Burke, TD.
This will mean that there will be 260 SNAs employed locally in Westmeath schools –166 in primary schools, 47 in post primary schools and 67 in special schools.
Deputy Burke, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “One of the key aims of this government is to ensure that children with special educational needs can be supported to fully participate in school life and fulfil their individual potentials.
“Special needs assistants play a central role in ensuring this and I would like to firstly take this opportunity to thank and pay credit to the fantastic work that they do in schools across Westmeath.
“SNAs do fantastic work with the students and also give parents peace of mind when they send their children to school.
“Today’s announcement will ensure every child who needs SNA support in Westmeath will receive it and will allow many students to access schools where otherwise they may not be able to without extra help.
“I receive a lot of correspondence and visits to my clinic during the summer months from parents who are anxious that their children be allocated an SNA, thus I welcome this increase.
“Furthermore, this year the allocations will be made earlier so that parents and schools can have peace of mind well ahead of September.
“Following on from today’s allocation, there will be a total of 15,000 SNAs working in our schools around the country.
“This increased investment reflects the priority the government has put on helping children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential.
“It also reflects the growing participation of children with special educational needs in the education system and the capacity of our education system to better support their full participation and progression.
“In July 2017, my Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, gave a commitment that funding for SNA posts would be dealt with as part of the normal Estimates process, meaning that schools would be informed of their allocation for the beginning of the next school year before the end of May 2018.
“Today’s announcement honours that commitment and will make a real difference to schools and SNAs in planning for the year ahead.
“It is also expected that a further allocation will be announced during the first term of the new school year.”
Minister Bruton said: “More children with Special educational needs are participating than ever before and we are investing more than ever before to support this.
“In 2018 my department will invest in the region of €1.75 billion in special education, almost one fifth of the entire education budget and 39% increase on 2011.”