An extra 33 special needs assistants have been allocated for Galway, bringing to 771 the numbers of such SNAs supporting pupils at primary, secondary, and special schools across Galway city and county.
From September, the number of SNAs will rise from 738 for 2016/17 to 771 for the 2017/18 period. At primary level the number of SNAs will rise from 458 to 477 – an increase of almost 19. At secondary level the number of SNAs supporting pupils will rise from 158 to 169 – an increase of 10. Meanwhile, pupils at special schools in Galway will receive support from almost 125 SNAs, an increase of four.
SNAs are allocated to pupils as opposed to schools and provide vital support and assistance to pupils helping them to participate and reach their educational potential.
The increase has been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway West TD and Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources, and Digital Development, Seán Kyne
“The extra SNAs for Galway are part of an additional 975 nationally bringing to almost 14,000 the number of SNAs supporting pupils who have additional educational needs across the country," he said. "The allocation, confirmed by my colleague, Minister for Education, Richard Burton, represents an investment of €458 million in the SNA scheme."
