When an SNA loses their position because their school’s allocation has been reduced, they retain what are known as ‘panel rights’ for the term.
This allows an SNA to apply for an SNA position in another school and to be considered for the position earlier than other, non-panel applicants.
Under Circular 34 of 2018, the school to which a ‘panel’ SNA applies, following an interview, is obliged to offer them the job. This is as long as the SNA meets “any specific competencies and/or requirements to meet the special educational needs of the pupil(s).”
However, what happens if an SNA feels that they should have been offered the position only to find that it went to a non-panel SNA?
Following discussions between Fórsa and the Department of Education, the Department have now agreed to look into any such case should it arise.
An SNA who feels that they may have a case should contact Fórsa to see if the matter can be pursued.
Fórsa welcomes this arrangement with the department and hopes that it can bring further security to SNAs who have lost their positions.
SNA contract issues: archive
Since April we've been publishing a special segment focussing on contract issues facing SNAs. Devised and written by assistant general secretary Seán Carabini, It has proved to be one of the most popular items in the Education news bulletin.
We've archived all of these items for ease of access, and will publish an updated archive in each future edition of the bulletin.
If you have contract issues you'd like to see covered in the bulletin, please contact info@forsa.ie. Please include 'SNA contract issues for the news bulletin' in the subject heading.
