Talks between IMPACT and education management bodies, over the fragmentation of special needs assistants (SNA) posts, are due to commence next week. IMPACT SNAs balloted last month for industrial action over the issue, which has seen members lose hours and pay as a result of revised SNA allocations each academic year.

The Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, took the opportunity to call for talks between unions and school management bodies over the issue when she attended the union’s Education division conference earlier this month.

Acknowledging that IMPACT had asked her to issue a direction to prevent the fragmentation of posts, the minister said that “under the Education Act, I am required to consult with all relevant bodies before exercising my powers as a Minister. And so I can’t simply issue a direction. I can however, start a negotiation, involving both unions and management bodies, to find a solution. And that is what I am doing.

“The Department has written to management bodies, to unions, and to the National Council for Special Education. We have asked all parties to come together over the next couple of weeks, to understand the challenges facing management bodies that are leading to this trend and to start putting in place a solution to address your union’s concerns – concerns which I share – about the hours worked by SNAs and the wages that they earn.”

IMPACT deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan said the minister’s invitation was a welcome development. “The invitation by the minister to gather all of the parties involved is a good starting point, and we hope this is the beginning of a process that will solve this particular problem.

“We received a very strong mandate from our members to engage in industrial action if it becomes necessary. The level of support for the ballot reflected the deep anger and frustration of members about what has been happening.

“SNAs need to have an assurance about their working hours that’s consistent with the protections afforded to other public servants under the terms of the Haddington Road agreement. That’s what we’re working toward achieving” he said.

The first meeting with school management bodies will take place next week.