Reassessment of SNA Support for St. Raphaels Special School results in Approval of 2 Additional SNA`s
Issued : Wednesday 12 October, 2011
Areas : Celbridge
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education and Skills that a reassessment of the needs of SNA support for children in St. Raphael’s Special School in Celbridge has resulted in the approval of a further 2 additional Special Needs Assistants for the school.
Deputy Stagg stated that last March the schools appeal against a reduction in SNA`s to the National Council for Special Education was unsuccessful and the number of SNA`s was reduced from 24.5 posts to 20 posts. In May a further half SNA post was created. Since then Deputy Emmet Stagg has had regular contact with Minister Quinn in relation to the shortfall in the number of SNA`s required to satisfactorily operate the school for the benefit of the pupils.
A further reassessment by the National Council for Education has now sanctioned an additional 2 full time SNA posts bringing the numbers back up to 22.5 posts. This stated Deputy Stagg meets with the minimum request by the Principal of the school in relation to the provision of the required care and education that the pupils are entitled to. In allocating the additional SNA`s the school will be required to provide full time education for all pupils and allowing pupils 1 hour of schooling will not be an option.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg thanked the School Authorities and the parents of the pupils of the school for their patience whilst work on this issue was ongoing over the past 6 to 7 months. Deputy Stagg also thanked Minister Quinn and the NCSE for revisiting the issue.
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15th APRIL, 2011 - Stagg Arranges High Level Meeting on St. Raphaels Special Needs Assistants
Following the loss of 4.5 Special Needs Assistants from St. Raphaels Special School in Celbridge, Deputy Emmet Stagg has been in discussions with the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn T.D. seeking a meeting where the case for additional SNA`s could be put to him directly in conjunction with his officials.
That meeting has now been arranged for next Wednesday April 20th at 11-30 a.m. in the Dail. In attendance will be Deputy Stagg, his three Kildare North T.D. colleagues, Minister Ruairi Quinn, Peter Baldwin (Assistant Secretary for Special Education) and officials from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Deputy Stagg stated that he did not know what the outcome of the meeting would be, but he stated that he would be forcefully making the case directly to the Minister and his Officials that the loss of the SNA`s at St. Raphaels is simply wrong given the multiple needs of the pupils who attend the school.
