Review of SNA scheme as 666 extra posts approved

The scheme to provide special needs assistants (SNAs) for pupils with care needs is to be reviewed after the Government approved more than 600 extra posts for the next school year.

The reason behind a significant increase in demand is among the issues to be looked at by the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which notified schools of their SNA allocations for September yesterday.

The delay in approving posts — normally sanctioned in June — follows a higher-than-expected rise in valid applications for care support from schools.