Now more SNAs than ever despite what Renua suggest – Corcoran Kennedy

“There are now more Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and Resources teachers available than ever before, despite what Renua may have people believe”, says Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.

“As part of Budget 2015, an additional 365 SNA posts are being provided in 2015, as well as an additional 480 Resource Teachers. This means that in total there is provision for 11,330 SNA posts and 6,705 resource teaching posts in 2015. This is the highest level of SNA and resource teaching provision that we have ever had.

“Only a few weeks ago, on 21^st May, the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan announced that the allocation of Resource Teacher Posts to schools will be increased by over 9% for the start of the coming school year.

“ This Government has removed the cap on the number of SNAs working in schools and had made special educational supports available to a wider range of children. A 15 per cent reduction in the resource teaching hours available for children with rarer but complex conditions was implemented during the recession and this is something that the Department is planning to review.

“Investment in education   has been a priority for this Government. Despite the enormous pressures on all areas of public spending we have been resolutely committed to protecting the level of investment being made to support children with special educational needs.

“Renau’s policy paper does not contain an education section. They have no policy on education. In addition, none of the proposals that they do have in other areas, are costed.

“It is important that we give people a clear and accurate picture of what is going on and how Government is allocating funding. The real situation is that Special Education needs have been a priority for this Government. As the economy recovers and more money becomes available, we are increasing the number of SNAs and making this support available to more children and more families.”