Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed University College Dublin’s accreditation of the National SNA Training Programme as a level 7 award.
The Kildare Senator said, “This is a very important step in professionalising and fully recognising the pivotal work SNA’s do for our children.
“I have always been a passionate supporter of SNA’s and have raised this issue with Minister Norma Foley on a number of occasions.
Senator O'Loughlin said, "I previously met with Caoimhe O’Connor, among others, from Newbridge who graduated from a UCD SNA course, but this qualification would not be accredited and would not be recognised by the Department and that’s simply not fair.”
“I also met with the North Leinster Branch of the Forsa union reps. They were clear in their demands for the #RespectForSNAs campaign. So I am delighted today to hear that UCD will now accredit the National SNA Training Programme as a Level 7 award, a hugely significant step for SNA’s.”
“Approximately 38’000 children avail of an SNA across the country and this accreditation will thankfully give them professional status.
“The National Training Programme for SNA’s was launched in 2020 and I’m delighted to students of that course will now be accredited with level 7 awards.
“I want to commend the SNA reps in Kildare and indeed the entire North Leinster Forsa group for their indefatigable work to see this through.”
