Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has said that the decision to over 600 additional Special Needs Assistant posts nationally from September 2015 reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure that every child with an assessed need has access to a SNA.
“Today’s announcement means that 47 additional SNA posts are being created in Limerick. This will bring the total number of SNA posts in Limerick schools to 454 this September.
“As a teacher myself I know that this announcement will be welcome news to parents across the country. When a child is assessed as having a particular care need it is vital that the support needed is delivered. This is essential to help each child reach his or her potential and to help them get the most out of their time in school.
“The Government has also decided to carry out a review of the SNA scheme to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and that best use is being made of the significant resources invested. Among the issues to be examined will be the reasons behind the significant increase in demand evident this year and how the timing of applications and allocations can be better aligned with the school year.
“It is a policy of Fine Gael in Government to increase the number of SNAs in our schools. From September there will be 11,820 whole-time SNA posts available in our primary and post-primary schools. Fine Gael is committed to using the benefit of the economic recovery, which is still very fragile, to ensure that services like providing extra resources in the area of special education is done. I welcome this announcement as a clear demonstration of that commitment.