Minister Moynihan congratulates graduates of the SNA National Training Programme in UCD
- Published on: 6 December 2025
- Last updated on: 6 December 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan TD congratulates the 812 SNAs graduating for the 2024/2025 academic year from the SNA National Training Programme in UCD today.
Fully funded by the Department of Education and Youth, through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the course is delivered free of charge to SNAs in primary, post-primary and special schools. This brings to 3,775 the number of SNAs have graduated from this course since it commenced in 2021. Tailored to the needs of the SNA role the course is accredited as a Level 6 Special Purpose Award under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Attending the graduation in the O'Reilly Hall on the UCD Belfield campus Minister Moynihan said:
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the SNAs graduating from the SNA National Training Programme today in UCD. Their commitment to complete this course while working in our schools shows their dedication to supporting children and young people to participate in education. This is a very special day for them and their families.
“SNAs play a central role in our schools, ensuring children and young people with special educational needs are supported to access their education. There is a keen interest in this course, which is reflective of how dedicated our SNA workforce are. It’s clear that SNAs want to be the best they can be for the children and young people they support. They are a credit to our schools and their commitment to their job is abundantly clear.
“I am pleased that my department continues to invest in this unique opportunity for further learning for SNAs in the workforce. The course content was carefully designed by UCD in collaboration with the NCSE to provide SNAs with the opportunity to enhance their skills to support children and young people in our schools. Congratulations to the 812 SNAs graduating today.”
Notes to Editors
Background
- The 2018 Review of the SNA Scheme published by the NCSE includes a recommendation for the provision of a national online training programme.
- 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 was delivered fully online, is fully funded by the department and delivered at no cost to SNAs who are currently serving in recognised special, primary and post-primary schools.
- The 812 graduates for the 2024/2025 academic year join 2,962 SNAs who have previously completed the course bringing to 3,775 the number of SNAs who have achieved this Level 6 Special Purpose award since the courses launch by UCD in 2021.
Continuation of the SNA National Training Programme
- In February 2025 Ministers McEntee and Moynihan announced a €1.9m contract for continuation of the National Training Programme for SNAs.
- Following a procurement process for the continuation of the SNA National Training Programme, a contract was awarded to Atlantic Technological University to continue the provision of this programme from September 2025.
- The course is currently being led by 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.
- ATU, St. Angela’s will provide a 60-hour University-accredited Level 6 Special Purpose Award under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The modules are being delivered in a blended learning approach providing engaging and flexible learning experiences.
- The course will equip SNAs with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to be effective in supporting the care needs of students with additional educational needs and specific care needs in various contexts across the educational settings.
- The programme has been designed by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Science and Disability.