Education Minister Richard Bruton has pledged funds will be used to place another 860 special needs assistants in schools in the next academic year.
The minister made the promise that no child in need would be left without a SNA.
In the announcement, he said:
“Diagnostic methods have changed, we know more about needs of how children progress.
“It’s appropriate we view this on how to make things better, so kids get on better and make more progress and get better outcomes in the education system.”
The additional 860 SNAs will be in schools between September and December this year.
People worried about where the money would come from but Minister Bruton promised he would find it within the existing budget.
The INTO is delighted by the announcement as schools across the country see an increase in children with special needs.
The organisation has also welcomed the timing of the decision as it gives schools time to make appointments.
The increase in SNA numbers will follow the promise to increase the number of resource teachers which is also set to be implemented at the beginning of the next academic year.
