365 SNA posts for Mayo schools for 2019/20 school year confirmed

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has confirmed that 365 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) have been allocated for Mayo for the 2019/20 school year.

249 SNAs have been allocated to primary schools

71 SNAs have been allocated to post primary schools

45 SNAs have been allocated to special schools.

Minister Ring said: “I’m delighted that we have been given the allocation for schools in Mayo for the next school year.

"This will ensure that school principals, SNAs, parents and children are informed of the allocation in good time for the start of the next school year

“Special needs assistants are vital to the work of a school. They are dedicated, caring and hugely important in ensuring the government can meet its goal of supporting children with special needs and helping them to reach their potential. I would like to take this opportunity to pay credit to the fantastic work that they do.

“The allocations being confirmed today means there will be a total of up to 15,950 special needs assistants working in schools throughout by the end of 2019. This is a 51% increase on the number of SNAs who were working in schools in 2011, when the figure stood at 10,575.

“The government will invest almost €560million in SNAs this year, as part of a total €1.9 billion investment in special educational needs. I commend my cabinet colleague, Joe McHugh TD, for continuing to prioritise support our students and our schools in this way.”