Taoiseach announces SNA jobs boost

AN Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced 860 extra special needs assistants across the country by the end 2016, saying this will benefit children in Mayo schools. 

The Castlebar TD said: “The announcement by Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, of additional extra special needs assistants, will benefit children across schools in Mayo

“These SNA positions will be available for allocation to schools over the period September to December 2016. So this is good news for local children, but also good news for local people training to become an SNA who will be looking for a job.

“The additional 860 SNAs allocated, represent a seven per cent increase in number of SNAs nationally and this increase is happening in response to the level of need.

'It will bring the total number of special needs assistants to 12,900, at a total gross annual cost of €425 million.

“Fine Gael in government is determined to ensure our recovering economy will pay dividends for all, particularly the most vulnerable people in society. This is why it is so important we invest wisely in our children’s futures.

'These announcement reflects the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that all children with special needs can maximise their potential.' 

The NCSE will notify Mayo schools of their SNA allocations for the coming 2016/17 school year and will publish details of these allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.