Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney says that this is part of an overall increase of 1,000 SNAS nationally in 2018, ensuring every child in Cork who needs an SNA will have one.
“This is great news for Cork school children who need extra support. And it is also good news for local people training to become an SNA who will be looking for a job.
“Fine Gael is working in Government to support families and strengthen communities. We want a society in which everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we will achieve that by ensuring that everyone gets a fair chance.
“Additional funding for special needs education is an example of this approach, helping us to invest in our children’s futures. This latest Government funding announcement will ensure that every child in Cork who needs SNA support, receives it.
“130 additional SNAs are being made available for allocation to schools over the remainder of the school year (January – June 2018) as part of an overall increase of 1,000 SNAS in 2018.
“Cork schools will be informed of their SNA allocation for the 2018/19 school year by the end of May 2018. This fulfils a commitment that the notification of SNA allocations would be brought forward so that schools and parents can have greater certainty for the following school year and I commend my colleague, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, for this approach.”
Minister Bruton added: “We are investing nearly €1.7billion in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the total Education budget. This investment ensures that every child that needs SNA support can get one. I secured an additional €30m in Budget 2018 to fund the continued development of the SNA scheme with more than 1000 additional SNA posts being provided for from that funding.”
ENDS
Note to editors
A Comprehensive Assessment of the SNA Scheme is currently being undertaken by the NCSE, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA), to identify the most appropriate form of support options to provide better outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs, having regard to the significant amount of State investment in this area. The Comprehensive Assessment is expected to be finalised and submitted prior to the end of the first quarter of 2018.