Following negotiations spanning several years a new Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan (SNAWDP) has been approved by Cabinet. 

The SNAWDP comprises: a new Circular on theSNA role, a new Circular on an SNA Redeployment Scheme, and two new contracts for SNAs (one fixed term and one indefinite). 

National secretary Andy Pike said: “This is a really significant shift towards the professionalisation of the SNA role. Taken together these agreements, if approved by members, can have a big impact. It took us a long time to get here, but thanks to the tenacity and determination of our SNA reps and members, we have now agreed a really comprehensive overhaul of the outdated agreements governing how SNAs work and how they are allocated to schools”.  

A nationwide consultation process with SNA members has now begun to seek their views on the proposals contained within the new SNA Workforce Development Plan (SNAWDP). 

Andy continued: “ We will host a series of regional and online information meetings for members in the weeks ahead and then hold a ballot of members, which will open later this month. Members will be asked if the proposals should be accepted or rejected in a consultation ballot.” 

The meetings kicked off in Tralee yesterday, on Thursday 4th June, with over 100 people in attendance. 18 in-person meetings are currently scheduled, a full list is available below.

In addition to meetings, Fórsa has created as series of documents to help members understand the proposals. You can view them here. 

The new Circular on the role of the SNA and the associated guidance is available here 

A copy of the whole SNAWDP can be found here 

A copy of the Redeployment Scheme Circular can be found here 

Fórsa SNAWDP analysis of the negotiating objectives

Fórsa FAQs on the Circular on the Role of the SNA are here 

Fórsa FAQs on the replacement of the 72 hours and changes to June working are here 

Fórsa FAQs on the new Redeployment Scheme are here 

Allocations 

 
Fórsa has also secured a government commitment that when SNA allocations are reviewed again for the start of the 2027/2028 school year no more than 1 SNA post can be lost in any school. This will be the model for future years. Allocations will stay as they are for the forthcoming year.  

 
Local Bargaining offer 

 
Fórsa will also be consulting members on an additional local bargaining offer which consists of an increase to the top of the SNA pay-scale of 1.5% effective from last September, as well as improvements to a number of Special Leave entitlements. This consultation will also be subject to a ballot process alongside the SNAWDP.  

 
The Fórsa education divisional executive committee (EDEC) met this week to consider the proposals and to decide what advice to issue to members.  

 
They decided that, whilst not every objective had been secured through the negotiations, more than enough progress has been made to justify a recommendation that SNA members vote to accept the proposals. 

 
Now, it is over to you to consider the proposals. Below you will find details of the information meetings and links to a series of documents, from the Department and from Fórsa, designed to explain the proposals. These include frequently asked questions documents and an analysis of the negotiating objectives and outcomes achieved.  

Regional meetings

Below is a list of in-person meetings. Online meetings will be announced soon.

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