Has the DES Cap on Special Needs Assistants affected you ?
HAS THE DES CAP ON SNA’s AFFECTED YOU?
WE NEED YOUR HELP
The following text is taken from Circular No. 0006/2011 from the Department of Education and Skills.
1. Cap on Special Needs Assistant posts
…….In the context of the current financial situation, while continuing to prioritise special education, it has been necessary as part of the National Recovery Programme to place a cap on the number of whole time equivalent Special Needs Assistant posts in schools. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent posts.
This number of posts represents a substantial and significant level of support to schools which have enrolled students with special educational and significant additional care needs.
You can access the full document Circular No.0006/2011 at http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/cl0006_2011.pdf?language=EN
For children with autism full time SNA provision is the difference between success and failure within an education system which is not tailored to their specific needs. Not only do SNA’s support the children within this system them support the system to make education accessible to the children. They are a necessary and invaluable cog in the wheel – not a luxury item which can be pulled back on when times get tough.
The IAA are arranging meetings with the new Ministers of the 31st Dail and this cap on SNA provision is one of the issues to be raised. In order to fully illustrate how vital SNA support is to the children is we need your testimony.
Please email info@autismireland.ie with an account of your experience either of the success having access to full time SNA support made to your child’s school experience, or the struggle your child faces trying to learn within a school environment without this vital support . Title your email SNA CAP and should you wish to remain anonymous please make this clear at the beginning of your email.
“Help us to be a voice for those who have none!”
