Limerick TD and Minister of State for Finance, Public Expenditure AND Reform, Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the news from the Minister for Education and Skill, Richard Bruton TD that the total number of Special Needs assistants (SNA’s) in limerick is to increase 528 to 561, an increase of 33 for the coming school year. Patrick O’Donovan said that the increase represents the Government’s commitment to the provision of special needs education at both primary and secondary level with 117 of the positions for Special Schools.
“This is good news for the children across Co. Limerick who require the assistance of a Special Needs Assistant, but it is also good news for their parents and the schools that they are attending. I worked myself as a primary teacher and I know at first hand the difference that an SAN can make to the teaching and learning in our classrooms.
“When we entered Government in 2011 there was 10,575 SNA’s working in Irish schools. Following this announcement there will be 13,990, the largest number of SNA’s ever, an increase of over 32%since 2011. This is clear evidence of this Government’s commitment to the needs of special education in our schools.”
“As a Government we have also increased the total budget for special education to €1.68billion because as a Government we recognise the need for children to get the best possible start in education and we want to make sure that the resources that are needed for them and for their teachers and schools are in place.”
ENDS
Contact Patrick O’Donovan 069-77998
