Fórsa has cautiously welcomed the Budget announcement of 1,700 new Special Needs Assistants (SNA) posts for the start of the 2026/2027 school year but cautions it needs to be met with making progress in other areas. 

This will bring the total number of SNAs working in our schools to an all-time high with over 24,000 posts. The announcement comes as work on the Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan (SNAWDP) draws to a close, with a new SNA Circular expected to be finalised over the coming few weeks.  

Assistant general secretary Shane Lambert said “The additional 1,700 posts are to be welcomed. However, they must be combined with tangible progress on agreeing a new contract and a Circular which fully recognises and respects the role of the SNA as it stands today.” 

Shane went on to outline that members can expect an outcome that will seek to eliminate abuses of their role (such as 72-hours and June working) and enhance accountability for employers in terms of how they deploy their SNA resources. It will also update qualifications to standards that reflect the reality on the ground.   

He said: “The department needs to set out clearly the pathways and processes for those who wish to become an SNA and provide appropriate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training, paid centrally to recognise the professional nature of those who are already in the role.” 

Shane further highlighted the importance of the new SNA redeployment scheme that he said "will all but eliminate" the precarious nature of the role, but he also called for commitments to support career progression and continued investment in this vital workforce. 

“The world of SNAs and special education has stood still for too long, and whilst we expect to see significant change and progress in the coming weeks and months, that will need to be maintained to keep pace with the ever-increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field.”