Government Limits SNA Redeployment to One Per School Annually from September 2027
The Irish Government approved a plan limiting SNA redeployment to one per school annually from September 2027, following earlier proposed cuts. This aims to retain experienced SNAs and provide stability. Trade union Fórsa welcomed the plan, which includes new training time and post protections.
The Irish Cabinet has approved a workforce development plan for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), including a new redeployment scheme. This plan, announced by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan, follows a government U-turn earlier this year on proposed SNA cuts affecting nearly 200 schools.
The new scheme ensures that from September 2027, no school will lose more than one SNA in a single year due to redeployment. This aims to provide certainty and retain experienced SNAs within the school system. The plan, based on a survey of 13,000 of Ireland's 25,000 SNAs, also introduces greater clarity on the SNA role and a new contract.
Fórsa, representing 18,000 SNAs, welcomed the plan, noting the replacement of 72 additional working hours with dedicated training time and new protections for SNA posts. Andy Pike, Fórsa's head of education, stated these changes will improve stability for SNAs and strengthen student support. Sinn Féin's Darren O’Rourke called it an «important step» but highlighted the need to rebuild trust after previous proposed cuts.