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800 new special needs assistants to be allocated to schools

Around 800 new special needs assistant (SNA) posts are being allocated to schools from September....
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.44 27 May 2019


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800 new special needs assistan...

800 new special needs assistants to be allocated to schools

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.44 27 May 2019


Share this article


Around 800 new special needs assistant (SNA) posts are being allocated to schools from September.

The Education Minister Joe McHugh also says there'll be up to 130 more SNA posts allocated by December.

That will bring the total number of SNAs in Irish schools up to 15,950, who will support around 37,500 pupils with special needs.

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Today's announcement follows a similar increase in allocation last year.

In a statement, Minister McHugh said SNAs are "vital" to the work of schools.

He observed: "I would like to take this opportunity to pay credit to the fantastic work that they do.

"Our education system is increasingly better equipped to support children with special needs and support their full participation and progression."

In total, €560 million will be spent on SNAs this year, with a total of €1.9 billion being invested in special educational needs.

Full details of the new SNA allocations will be published online this afternoon.

Main image: Education Minister Joe McHugh. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

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