The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has announced the SNA allocations for the next School year 2020/2021. The allocations for all mainstream classes have been frozen whilst provision for special classes has increased on last year’s allocations by some 430 posts. Allocations in special education schools have increased by 57 posts. There will be 233 additional posts in the primary school sector and 138 additional posts in the post primary sector.
As mainstream allocations have been frozen, SNAs in that area will not be subject to the fragmentation of jobs and redundancies in mainstream classes that have taken place in previous years.
However, there will still be some fragmentation and reduction in posts in special education classes due to fluctuating student numbers. Unfortunately, three special education schools will lose a small number of posts, (some five WTE - whole time equivalent - positions in total).
Consequently, while the overall number of posts in special education classes and special education schools will increase by more than 400 posts, there is still some fragmentation of SNA posts as a result of a small number of schools receiving a reduced allocation due to fluctuations in student numbers.
The Government approved the creation of an additional 1,060 full time posts in the last budget. The total number of SNA posts allocated to schools for next year is approximately 16,380, compared to the 15,950 allocated for the 2019/2020 school year. The additional 430 posts announced since then means the schools sector has seen less than half the promised increase in posts implemented so far.
Schools could lodge applications for an exceptional review of their mainstream SNA allocation up to 22nd May. The outcomes of this review process is due for publication by the end of June, with details of any additional provision of SNA posts.
Fórsa Head of Education Andy Pike said: “This is the first year that SNAs in mainstream classes have not been affected by reductions in working hours and the risk of redundancy which is most welcome.
"Unfortunately we still have work to do to ensure that special education schools and classes are treated in the same manner. While the number of job losses is very small, it's still a matter of regret that these SNA staffing reductions have been made at all. We call on the Minister to reverse these cuts immediately.
"We are also concerned that the extra 1,060 WTE SNA posts set out in the budget have not yet been allocated to schools and we urge the Department of Education and Skills to allocate the remaining posts as soon as possible. Schools and parents were informed that the Government had approved this increase in staffing and that funding was available. There can be no excuse for refusing to meet that commitment. Thousands of new students with additional care needs will be starting school soon and they will need those additional SNAs in place at the start of the school year in September.”
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