At the end of the 2001-02 school year, a total of 2,821 full-time and 615 part-time special needs assistants were employed in the primary sector. A further 346 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants were employed in the second level system.
The level of special needs assistant support allocated to a particular school is based on the professionally assessed needs of the child or children attending the school at any given time. Such allocations are adjusted on an ongoing basis in response to evolving needs. The majority of full-time special needs assistant posts are allocated to groups of children with special needs, including those attending special schools and special classes attached to ordinary schools. The precise number of posts dedicated to individual children with special needs is not readily available.
The number of hours which a special needs assistant is contracted to work varies between full-time and part-time posts. Part-time special needs assistants are contracted to deliver a specified number of hours per week in the schools to which they are attached. Full-time special needs assistants are contracted to work classroom hours and in addition to attend before and after core school hours in order to help with the preparation of classroom materials and the arrival and departure of the children. The specific duties are determined by the school authorities.
The salary scale for special needs assistants with effect from 1 October, 2002 is as follows:
€18,012, €18,856, €19,698, €20,546, €21,390, €22,235, €23,082, €23,921, €24,770, €25,610, €26,459, € 28,052.
Long service increment w.e.f 1/4/2000 payable after 3 years on max. €29,189.
Part-time hourly rate with effect from the 1st October 2002 is €8.42.