The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) contract review discussions which are part of the workforce development plan are now in the final stages, with some of the working groups now finishing up. These discussions are being conducted based on a package approach, which means that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. This has limited the ability to report on progress on specific items. 

The discussions have covered many items which have been issues for SNAs over the years including redeployment, job security, 72-hours & June working, training and development, recruitment and retention, among another issues. It is now expected that as the working groups cease a series of reports and recommendations will issue, at which point there will be tangible updates and the member engagement on this.

One of the key items discussed in the working groups was the need for a robust redeployment mechanism for SNAs to ensure that no SNA would be compelled to take redundancy in the event there was no longer a need in their school. Instead, the union has argued SNAs should be able to transfer seamlessly to another school within a reasonable distance should they wish, providing with certainty and job security. 

Motions were discussed and passed unanimously at divisional conference this April which clearly stated that should a redeployment mechanism not be in place to protect against job losses by September coming, the union would immediately cease co-operation with the SNA Workforce Development Plan and “all bets would be off”. 

At the education divisional conference last month, a new SNA redeployment scheme was announced by Minister for Education Helen McEntee.

Speaking on the issue Fórsa assistant general secretary Shane Lambert underlined that these commitments must now be delivered.

He said “At our recent Education conference in Galway, both Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, and Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for Special Education, Michael Moynihan spoke, and both confirmed that a redeployment scheme will be in place this September. "

He said: “Whilst we know there should be increase in overall SNA numbers as provided for in the budget, and that a redeployment scheme is due to commence, we don’t know where those posts are or how the SNA redeployment scheme will operate.” 

“We appreciate the patience and commitment our members have shown as we have gone through this long engagement process, but we know that patience is not infinite, and members need to see some benefits start to materialise now.”

“Too many issues remain, and emotions are high given we are in May again, awaiting confirmation of allocations to be announced.”

We are prepared to work with the Department and the NCSE on this, but we have heard the frustrations of our members as articulated in the motions that were passed unanimously at conference.  That is now the mandated union position, and we must act on behalf of members as those motions compel us to.

Shane concluded by saying: “We appreciate that this time of year is a very delicate and sensitive time for members.  We are in a position where once again we are awaiting allocations to be announced, however we do know that work has been going on in the background between the Department of Education, the NCSE and other stakeholders such as the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform."

“The union has continued to make representations to the Department seeking that the allocations are announced as soon as possible.  We will continue to update members on the allocations once we have some concrete information.”

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