Fórsa has welcomed the publication this week of a new Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Plan and revised SNA contract, following two years of negotiations. 

The plan sets out a range of changes to the role, working conditions and professional development of Special Needs Assistants, and was announced by the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton on Wednesday 3rd June, following approval by Cabinet. 

The union will now begin a nationwide consultation with 18,000 SNA members ahead of a ballot later this month on whether to accept or reject the proposals. 

 
The key elements of the SNAWDP are as follows: 

• A new Circular on the role of the SNA which accurately sets out the full range of supports provided by SNAs to students including in areas such as learning and development, emotional regulation and managing challenging behaviour. 
• A Redeployment Scheme for SNAs ensuring that if school allocations are reduced SNAs have the option of redeployment to a new school. 
• The replacement of the 72 hours with learning and development time which consists of a minimum 10 hours of self-directed learning and development time, and could reach a maximum of 36 hours per annum if the school organises more training. The school is responsible for paying for training, not the SNA. This training includes all mandatory training such as induction, health and safety, and child protection training courses. 
• SNAs can be asked to attend staff meetings and policy development meetings up to a maximum of 10 hours per annum, and SNAs can be asked to participate in student centred planning for a minimum of 10 hours per annum. 
• The minimal essential qualification will move to a relevant QQI Level 6 programme in stages, with serving SNAs being exempt from further study if they already have a Level 6 qualification, are close to retirement or have equivalent prior experience and expertise.  
• New guidance restricting the ability of schools to bring SNAs into schools in the month of June as attendance will be determined by the availability of appropriate work. 
• A commitment to develop SNA Posts of Responsibility to provide a proper career structure for SNAs. 
• Centralised Garda Vetting to be rolled out to make life easier for subs and SNAs changing schools. 
• New clear advice on how and when to used fixed term contracts of employment. 

The agreement also provides new protections for SNA posts. Under the revised arrangements, no more than one post can be declared surplus in any school, with redeployment supports in place for affected staff. 

Read more about the SNA Workforce Development Plan here.

The plan follows more than 50 meetings between Fórsa, the Department of Education and school management bodies over two years. The final document runs to over 140 pages and is based on research and consultation with SNAs, teachers and school leaders. 

Fórsa said that while the proposals do not meet all of the union’s objectives, they represent a firmer and more professional footing for SNAs. 

Fórsa’s head of Education Andy Pike said the plan marks an important step in recognising the role of SNAs in supporting students with additional needs. 

“The negotiations were long and detailed, but they have delivered a firmer, more professional footing for SNAs. A key improvement is the removal of the often misused 72-hour requirement and its replacement with structured time for training and development. 

“The new framework also recognises the role SNAs already play in student planning and support in schools every day. 

“These changes will improve stability for SNAs and strengthen support for students with additional needs. We will now begin a full consultation with members before holding a ballot on the proposals.” 

The launch of the Workforce Development Plan was widely reported in the media.

RTÉ’s Six One on Wednesday (3rd June) featured responses from Andy Pike and representatives of Fórsa’s SNA branches. Fórsa's response was also reported in the Irish Mirror, the Irish Examiner, The Irish Times, while Andy Pike spoke to Ciara Kelly on Newstalk's The Hard Shoulder. 

Andy urged members to read through all the available documentation and attend an information meeting ahead of the ballot. A list of meetings and resources explaining the SNA WDP are available here. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Pride is a moment to celebrate and honour the activists who fought for LGBTQIA+ rights in years gone by and still do today, while also looking to the future, and being clear that equality is, and always will be, central to our union. 

This year Fórsa will march as part of an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) coordinated trade union bloc at Dublin Pride on Saturday 27th June.   

We know many members march at Pride with friends and voluntary groups, however standing together as trade union members sends a powerful message of union solidarity - everyone is welcome in our union.  

To enter the parade, you will need a wristband so those wishing to attend must register.  

 If you would like to join the trade union bloc at Dublin Pride, please register here.

If you cannot attend but are interested in hearing from Fórsa about similar events, you can add your contact details on the form, and we will keep you up to date. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

On Monday 1st June, the final pay increase agreed under the terms of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 came into effect. This will see workers receive an increase of 1% of gross pay. 

Pay scales for the civil service division have been updated on our website. To see how pay for your grade, group, or category has been affected you can go to our civil service division pay scales page here. 

Pay scales for the local government division have been updated on our website. To see how pay for your grade, group, or category has been affected you can go to our local government division pay scales page here. 

We are updating our pay scales pages on our website to reflect the changes to your grade, group, or category’s salary. You will be able to find your updated pay scale on the education division pay scales page here as soon as they are updated. 

We are updating our pay scales pages on our website to reflect the changes to your grade, group, or category’s salary. You will be able to find your updated pay scale on the health and welfare division pay scales page here as soon as they are updated. 

This final 1% will mark the completion of the 2024-2026 agreement.  

Preparations are well underway for upcoming negotiations on the next agreement and securing the best deal possible for public sector workers. 

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “We haven’t rested on our laurels since the last agreement. We have been building power, strengthening our collective structures, and preparing for the next agreement.” 

“Since 2024, we have grown to over 100k members, increased union coverage across workplaces, and almost 50,000 workers have signed our ‘Better Deal’ pledge,” he continued. 

Kevin encouraged members to continue recruiting and gathering signatures. He said: “Every last worker counts. The more people who sign the pledge, the better our leverage and the better the deal we will get in the end.” 

Sign the pledge here.

For more on the pledge.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

June is shaping up to be an exciting month for the Skills Academy. They will be capping off their academic year with the Summer Awards Ceremony, a wonderful chance to celebrate the hard work of Fórsa reps who have completed their courses over the year.  

Branch committee members are invited to join and celebrate the achievements of their branch’s graduating reps in what has become a highlight of Fórsa’s calendar. 

As always, there will also be sessions of Fórsa Induction and Live: Lunch and Learn this month and throughout the summer.  

Skills Academy Summer Certificate Ceremony – 2.30pm Tuesday 23rd June – Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

Taking place in the afternoon following the upcoming Consultative Council, the short ceremony will run from 2.30pm to 4pm. Branch and workplace reps are invited to stick around after the Consultative Council to cheer on reps from their branch who are receiving their certificates. 

The summer certificate ceremony will see graduates of Workplace Representatives Training Level 1 and the Level 2 course, Branch Chairs and Secretaries trainings, and the Leadership Programme receive their certificates.  

Director of membership training and development, Fiona Dunne, said: “We would be delighted if you could join us to celebrate the achievements of some of our newest workplace representatives and branch officers, especially if they’re from your branch. They’ve been very generous with their time and efforts, all to do the best job they can for their fellow members.” 

There will be tea and cake on the day. The Skills Academy asks that you let Judith know if you are attending by emailing skillsacademy@forsa.ie, to ensure we can adequately cater. 

“We look forward to welcoming you to the ceremony and a lovely afternoon,” Fiona added. 

Fórsa Induction - Wednesday 10th June - Online - Open to all new members    

Our welcome session for new members, Fórsa Induction is a fantastic way to get to know what exactly you’ve joined.  

You will learn all the need-to-knows of Fórsa, how we work, how you fit into it all, what we do for you, and what you can do to become more engaged, have your voice heard locally, and raise issues at divisional and national levels.    

Importantly, if you would like to see yourself on stage receiving a certificate next summer, Fórsa Induction is a prerequisite for Workplace Representatives Training Level 1. So why not take a couple of hours out of your day this summer to get yourself ready for the next school year? 

There are morning and evening sessions available to fit your schedule. So, if you’re a new member or looking to become a union activist, make sure to join the Skills Academy for this session. 

You can register for Fórsa Induction here.

Live: Lunch and Learn – subject TBC - Friday 26th June - Online 

Details of this month’s Live: Lunch and Learn are being finalised. More information and a sign-up link will be issued in the next bulletin.  

To register for a course:    

Aside from Live: Lunch and Learn and Fórsa Inductions, participation on all courses requires sign-off from your branch and official. To apply, contact your branch training officer or secretary if your branch does not yet have a training officer.  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

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.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

With public sector pay talks on the horizon, members are driving activity across their workplaces to build support for the ‘Better Deal’ pledge. 

General secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The Public Service Agreement expires this month, and while we were encouraged by the Taoiseach’s speech at our conference several weeks ago, we are keen to hear whether more concrete engagement is planned.” 

“We know our members are more determined than ever to stand together. When members sign the pledge, they are clearly stating what it is they want to see in any new agreement. Pay increases that match inflation, resolution of local bargaining claims, measures for fair work life balance and investment in the common good. Right now, almost 50,000 people have signed, and that number keeps on growing.” 

New resources are now available to support members as they seek to organise activities around the pledge in their workplace. You can send this WhatsApp message to friends and colleagues. 

We spoke to members who have been organising around the pledge to get a better sense of what works best on the ground. 

In Fingal County Council branch executive member Will Mooney Ennis told us that in-person conversations have had a real impact: "Getting out and talking to members is the most important activity any union representative can undertake.”  

On the need for the ‘A Better Deal’ campaign, he said: “Any member on the ground will tell you that their standard of living has gone down, and how their struggles have increased both personally and professionally in the last 10 years. ‘A Better Deal’ is a campaign that was formulated based on members’ needs, and which will only win through members' action."  

In Kildare Health and Welfare, branch chair Gary Buckley emphasised the importance of reps who know their workplaces well, saying, “Our reps and contacts on the ground are our main assets. They know their workplaces and are the best at the one-to-one conversations. 

Recently the branch has begun phone-banking its members to build pledges. Gary said, “They have had a great response. Some workers may work remotely or be out on visits when we are on site, so it’s great to reach out to them with the calls.  

Kildare Health branch activist, Keivan Jackson continued: “The phone calls have multiple benefits. Pledge responses go up, and it’s also a great way to update your member data. Members get so many emails they may not have seen our campaign correspondence, they may have a new email address, or they may say that they do not fully understand the campaign. The phone calls are a great way of learning what’s going on for individual members. 

In-person events in workplaces have also generated significant increases in signatures, and branches are encouraged to continue organising meetings and stalls about the pledge as the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 expires this month. 

Chair of the Dublin Hospitals branch, Michelle Kenny said that engagement through organising has been central to success. She said, “We have a very active branch executive committee who are all local representatives in their employments and give their time willingly to meet with and engage members in their workplaces. We have dedicated stalls across our worksites, attended by committee members on a regular basis. Members get to meet us and know that we represent them. It is important to us that our members understand there is an active branch committee who believe in the collective strength of our members in Dublin Hospitals”.  

Michelle continued, “In Trade Union Week, we achieved a record number of engagements with our members, with at least three major activities daily, resulting in 15 stalls or meetings meaning 60 hours of focused, member-driven engagements for that week alone.” 

Online meetings can also have a big impact. Chair of the Revenue Executive Grades branch Pat Murtagh explained that the branch hosted two online meetings attended by hundreds of members. He said: “People are aware that the Public Service Agreement is expiring soon and they are concerned about what comes next. Signing the pledge is one way members can send a clear message about the need to support civil and public servants during these difficult times.” 

Urging members to keep the momentum going director of campaigns Kevin Donoghue said: “There’s no shortage of ideas out there for organising activity around the pledge. It’s fantastic to see how creative and enthusiastic members are. If any branch is looking for support organising events they can always reach out and contact us at campaigns@forsa.ie” 

Access the campaign toolkit here.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

An online seminar on spectrum.life’s digital wellbeing platform and mindfulness sessions will take place at 4pm on 10th June. The seminar will be 30 minutes long and is open to Department of Education employees. 

Mental health promotion specialist Fergus Maher and Kamran Afzal will deliver this seminar. 

You will be taken through what spectrum.life’s digital wellbeing platform and mindfulness sessions have to offer.  

Their programmes are designed to support professionals working in high-demand, people-focused environments.  

By using practical tools and guided mindfulness techniques, the programme helps participants build healthier digital habits, manage stress more effectively, and strengthen resilience throughout the day. 

Their simple, realistic strategies can be integrated into daily routines, supporting greater focus, emotional balance, and sustained energy.  

If you would like to feel more present, supported, and at your best in your role, you can take part by following this link on the day: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/68640899976#success 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Twenty-five Fórsa members working as perfusionists across five hospitals are due to begin a series of work stoppages next Tuesday (9th June) in a dispute over pay and the HSE’s refusal to implement a Labour Court recommendation. 

Members are asked to send messages of solidarity to them as they take on the largest employer in the State. You can leave a message of solidarity here.

Perfusionists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who support the body’s vital functions during complex surgical procedures. Since 1960, an established and agreed pay linkage has existed between perfusionists and medical scientists, which the HSE unilaterally broke in 2024.   

The decision to take industrial action was approved by a unanimous ballot of members.  

National secretary Linda Kelly said: “It is simply unacceptable that the HSE would break this pay relationship in the first instance, and then that they would disregard a Labour Court recommendation is even more shocking.”   

In January,  the Labour Court recommended that perfusionists should have their long-standing pay link restored to the revised pay scale. However, the HSE has claimed that implementing the recommendation would be cost-increasing and that the matter should therefore be dealt with through local bargaining. This has been vehemently disputed by Fórsa. 

All members working as perfusionists in the Mater Hospital, St. James’s Hospital, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Crumlin, Galway University Hospital and Cork University Hospital will take industrial action in the form of a series of one-day strikes.  

The first day of work stoppage will take place on Tuesday 9th June. This will be followed by two days of work stoppage on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th June.   

Linda urged members across the union to stand in solidarity with their union colleagues next Tuesday. She said: “Members will be picketing outside hospitals on Tuesday and would appreciate all support they can get on the pickets. If you can’t make it to a picket, send a solidarity message and we’ll make sure perfusionists know their union has their back.” 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

The union’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has adopted a new ethical procurement policy.  

By adopting the policy, the union aims to ensure that companies that do business with Fórsa, by supplying goods and services, operate ethically. In practice this means not doing business with any company that might contribute to human rights abuses through their own activities.  

Deputy general secretary Katie Morgan said: "Actions speak louder than words. This new policy reinforces our commitment to aligning day-to-day decision making and spending with our values." 
 
“Fórsa is proud to lead the way among unions in Ireland by introducing this ethical procurement policy. It is one of many actions taken by our union to continue to oppose genocide and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who continue to be shamefully subjected to human rights injustices and grotesque suffering.” 
 
The policy will be shared with companies tendering for work, and staff, divisions and branches engaging companies to provide goods and services are required to share the policy with those tendering. 

Companies may only tender for work if they ensure:

1. None of their operations violate the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights or the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. 
2. During the execution of the contract, they do not work with any corporate entity (group) that operates in unlawful settlements in occupied territory, wherever they may occur, or with any corporate entity that contributes to the unlawful situation created by the presence of a foreign army in occupied territory. 
3. The company declares that it is not involved in any operations that violate the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, or any legal opinion or jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice. 

Katie concluded: “Trade unions have a crucial role in ensuring respect for human rights by companies. This document will support these efforts in a rigorous and practical way.”  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) will be hosting an open meeting for ethnic minority/migrant workers on Saturday 4th July from 11.30am to 3.30pm. 

The meeting invites ethnic minority and/or migrant workers to join peers for networking and organising to better represent shared interests in the workplace and the trade union movement. 

Dr. David Carroll, Project Coordinator of Anti-Racist Workplaces & Trade Unions, said: “The active participation of ethnic minority/migrant trade union members is vital in order for the trade union movement to reflect the diversity of the workforce it represents.” 

The peer group was first established in 2025 by the Congress Stronger Together Project. Originally made up of graduates of the project’s ethnic minority/migrant worker leadership training courses, the group is seeking to extend its membership.  

Dr. Carroll said, “If you are a member of an ethnic minority or are a migrant worker, please consider getting involved. Likewise, if you have a colleague who you think may be interested, please let them know they are welcome.” 

“The only criteria for attendance is an active trade union membership with one of Congress’s affiliated trade unions,” he continued. 

The meeting will be hybrid, taking place both in person at Congress Dublin offices, 31/32 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 and online. 

Dr. Carroll encourages in-person attendance, as the meeting is an opportunity to meet fellow trade unionists and build relationships.  

Lunch will be provided on the day. 

If you would like to take part, please contact gensec@forsa.ie and we will arrange your attendance.  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.