Welcomes Government announcement of €1.9m contract for continuation of the National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants
I welcome Government confirmation that a contract has been awarded to Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for continued provision of the national training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) from September 2025.
Further to a procurement process by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), on behalf of the Department of Education, ATU emerged as the successful tenderer to continue delivery of the course. A total of 2,962 SNAs have completed the course to date, while a further 881 are enrolled for the current academic year. The course, which was first made available to SNAs in 2021, is accredited as a Level 6 Special Purpose award on the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ).
The course, which is fully funded by the Department of Education, will be led by the School of Education at St Angela’s Campus in Lough Gill, Co. Sligo and will be jointly offered between the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies at ATU, St Angela’s.
“It is important that this training programme will continue to be available to train and upskill SNAs. This purposefully designed course will provide an opportunity for more SNAs to enhance their knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide the best possible support for children and young people with care needs attending schools around the country.
“I congratulate ATU St Angela’s on their successful tender for this course. St Angela’s School of Education has a wealth of experience in special education training, and I have no doubt they will provide a high-quality learning experience to SNAs who enroll on this course for the coming academic year.”
“SNAs who complete this course will be equipped with the most up to date skills and knowledge and the practical focus of the course will support SNAs with hands-on experience to support their vital frontline role. This will, overall, assist school communities to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs enabling them to attend school, engage in learning and gain independence to the greatest extent possible.”