Education minister Richard Bruton is to address IMPACT’s Education Division conference when it opens this Wednesday (19th April). This is the second consecutive conference to welcome an education minister, evidence that the union is succeeding in establishing the value of the contribution of non-teaching staff in the sector.

IMPACT now represents almost 11,000 education staff including school secretaries, special needs assistants, school completion staff, early education professionals, special education needs organisers, and administrative workers in education and training boards and institutes of technology.

Delegates at conference will debate conference motions on pay, SNA professional development, the single affordable childcare scheme, higher education funding and recruitment, representation on school management boards, school completion programme funding, and early education.

Cork ETB chief Ted Owens will speak to the conference about the growing role of community national schools and Jessica Ní Mhaolin will speak about the value of SNAs.

Panel discussions are planned on equality in education and student resilience and coping skills. The conference will also hear updates on the union’s campaigns for professionalisation in early education and funding for higher education. Workers from the UK will talk to delegates about a recent strike by teaching assistants.

You can read the IMPACT Education Division biennial report here.