ACCS Information Note: Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan and SNA Allocations 2026/27
The Secretary,
Board of Management,
each Community and Comprehensive School.
Members of the Executive of ACCS.
Dear Secretary,
Please note:
The Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan was published on 3rd June 2026 and can be accessed on the Department’s website. The publication of the Plan is accompanied by a suite of documentation in relation to special needs assistants:
The Role of Special Needs Assistants (CL 0032/2026) and a Guidance Document on the Role of the Special Needs Assistant
The new Contract of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in standard posts (permanent) (CL 0039/2026) and a Guidance Document on the management of Contracts of Employment for Special Needs Assistants
The new Contract of Employment for Special Needs Assistants in fixed term posts (CL 0040/2026)
The SNA Redeployment Scheme (CL 0022/2026) and a Guidance Document on the SNA Redeployment Scheme
The Special Needs Assistant Allocation 2026/27 (CL 0049/2026)
The NCSE has published each school’s initial allocation for the 2026/27 school year. This is available to schools via the school portal.
Any redeployment of posts will be for the 2027/28 school year
Where a surplus of SNAs is identified, there will be a limited reduction to 1 SNA post starting in the 2027/28 school year
No school with an existing allocation will see a reduction below a minimum of one post
As the introduction of the new SNA Redeployment Scheme for SNAs has been deferred to September 2027, the Supplementary Assignment Arrangements remain in place for the 2026/27 school year. An updated circular letter, 0044/2026, has been published on the Department’s website.
ACCS will issue a full Information Bulletin on all of the above in August, in time for the new school year 2026/27.
Kind regards
Áine O'Sullivan
General Secretary,
ACCS