Fórsa’s SNA branch took to the streets on Sunday 1st of May in protest of antiquated entry requirements for their profession. The #RespectForSNAs banner was flown high as members joined over 200 people in the annual May Day march and rally organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the role SNAs fill in schools and how valuable they are in educating the nation. Last month Fórsa welcomed a Government commitment to consider the accreditation of the special needs assistant national training programme delivered by UCD. 

Speaking at the march, Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said people were becoming aware of how important SNAs are to students with various needs.

"In any profession, you want proper respect and recognition, and if you achieve that, other things may then follow. The first step towards professionalising the work of SNAs is to look at the qualifications you need to get the job. SNAs are integral to ensuring students who require additional care can complete school. Without them it would be impossible,” he said.

Linda O'Sullivan, campaign spokesperson for Dublin, highlighted the disrespect the education department has for SNAs.

"Over the last two years of lockdown, we've seen examples of the historic disrespect and disregard that the Department has for SNAs. For so long in schools, non-teaching staff were seen as less, and raising the required qualifications would show that being an SNA is a profession. It's time the Government recognised that," she said.