There will be 31 extra Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for Laois schools this coming September.
This is according to Laois TD and Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan, who has said that there will be an allocation of 257.20 SNA posts across Laois – an increase of 31.2 posts from last year.
This will bring the total number of SNAs to 257.2 locally, with 185 SNA posts allocated to primary, 41 SNA posts allocated to secondary, 31 SNA posts allocated to special schools here.
Minister Flanagan has said that the recent announcement by Minister for Education Joe McHugh is great news for Laois schools.
Minister Flanagan stated: “The aim of this Government is to ensure that children with special educational needs can be supported to fully participate in schools and fulfil their potential.
“Special Needs Assistants play a key role in ensuring this and I would like to firstly take this opportunity to pay credit to the fantastic work that they do in schools across Laois.
“Minister McHugh has confirmed to me that there will be an allocation of 257.20 SNA posts across Laois an increase of 31.2 posts from last year.
“This announcement will ensure every child who needs SNA support in the county will receive it.
“Furthermore, special needs children getting the attention they need will have a positive knock on effect for all students. SNAs are the bedrock of Government supports for children with special needs.
“It is their work day in, day out that is key to helping ensure that children can go to school and participate in education. The Government will invest almost €560million in SNAs this year, as part of a total €1.9 billion investment in special educational needs.”
In 2011, 22,284 children had access to SNA support. With the increased investment and today’s confirmed allocations, it is stated that about 37,500 pupils will receive that support.
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