Fórsa has successfully negotiated increases in the amount of bereavement leave available to special needs assistants (SNAs).

Under the newly conceded agreement, SNAs will be now be entitled to 20 days paid leave if they lose a close family member such as a spouse or a child.

Further, they will also be entitled to five days paid leave if they lose a parent, sibling, grandparent or grandchild. And one day’s paid leave on the loss of an aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.

These new entitlements will be contained in a Circular to be issued by the Department on Monday, 12th December, with the same provisions applying for both Teachers and SNAs.

Fórsa’s Head of Education Andy Pike said that it had taken “a long time” to negotiate these improvements.

“Fórsa first lodged this claim in 2019 and we had to persevere and overcome numerous obstacles placed in our way in order to achieve this outcome

“This new leave entitlement ensures that if an SNA experiences a bereavement they can avail of the same leave entitlements as colleagues in other public services,” said Andy.

“These new entitlements will also apply to our members in Higher Education and the Education and Training Boards where separate Circulars will issue over the coming weeks,” he added.

Fórsa will also be seeking the application of these new entitlements for other staff groups such as School Secretaries and Caretakers, as well as members in the School Completion Programme.