Kenny demands answers over withdrawal of agreed measures for Special Needs Assistants
Kenny demands answers over withdrawal of agreed measures for Special Needs Assistants - The Labour Party
Labour Party TD for Cork North Central, Eoghan Kenny, has called on the Minister for Education to urgently explain the Department’s decision not to proceed with Local Bargaining measures for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), despite those measures being approved by members in a separate ballot.
Deputy Kenny has written to the Minister after being contacted by several SNAs who raised serious concerns about the decision. They outlined that while members rejected the proposed Workforce Development Plan, they separately voted to accept the Local Bargaining proposal, which included a 1.5% increase at the top of the SNA pay scale and additional special leave provisions.
Deputy Kenny said:
“I have been contacted by several Special Needs Assistants who are deeply concerned by this decision. SNAs are entitled to know why measures they voted separately to accept are no longer being implemented. I have asked the Minister to clearly explain the basis for this decision and whether members were ever informed that these measures were conditional on the outcome of a separate ballot.”
“There are important questions that need to be answered. If the Local Bargaining measures were always dependent on acceptance of the Workforce Development Plan, why were members asked to vote on them separately? If that condition existed, it should have been made absolutely clear before any ballot took place.
“Since this Government was formed in December 2024, Special Needs Assistants have been treated appallingly. They carry out an essential role supporting children with additional needs every day, yet too often they have been left feeling undervalued, overlooked and ignored.”
“This is about more than pay. It is about transparency, fairness and confidence in the collective bargaining process. SNAs deserve clear answers, and I will continue to press the Minister until they get them.”