This guide covers the full SNA (Special Needs Assistant) pay scale for 2026 in Ireland, how increments work, what additional allowances apply, and how SNA salaries compare with related roles.
SNA Pay Scale 2026 — Full Breakdown
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in Ireland are employed in schools under the Department of Education. They are not HSE employees — their pay is set by the Department of Education and negotiated by their trade union, Forsa (formerly IMPACT/CPSU).
SNA Salary Scale 2026
| Point | Annual Salary (€) | Annual Leave Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29,158 | — |
| 2 | 29,792 | — |
| 3 | 30,432 | — |
| 4 | 31,073 | — |
| 5 | 31,702 | — |
| 6 | 32,363 | — |
| 7 | 33,029 | — |
| 8 | 33,752 | — |
| 9 | 34,483 | — |
| 10 | 35,227 | — |
| 11 | 35,997 | — |
| 12 | 36,759 | — |
| 13 | 37,561 | — |
| 14 | 38,344 | — |
| 15 | 39,143 | — |
| LSI | 40,365 | — |
SNA Salary Range: €29,158 – €40,365
Figures are based on the 2026 consolidated public service pay scales. The SNA scale is distinct from teaching or HSE healthcare assistant scales. Always verify against the current Department of Education circular.
SNA Starting Salary 2026
A newly appointed SNA in Ireland starts at Point 1: €29,158 per annum. Prior SNA experience may be credited, allowing appointment at a higher point.
SNA vs Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Pay — Key Difference
A common question is how SNA pay compares to healthcare assistants in the HSE. These are different roles:
| Role | Employer | Scale Start | Scale Max | Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNA | Department of Education (schools) | €29,158 | €40,365 | Forsa |
| Healthcare Assistant (HCA) | HSE / private care | ~€29,000 | ~€40,000+ | SIPTU/Forsa |
| Care Assistant (intellectual disability) | HSE / section 38/39 | ~€28,000 | ~€39,000 | Varies |
Broadly, the SNA and HCA scales are similar at the entry level but diverge slightly at higher points. Both work with vulnerable individuals requiring personal support.
How SNA Increments Work
SNAs progress up the pay scale by one point for each year of satisfactory service. There is no examination or performance threshold — consistent satisfactory performance results in an annual increment.
- Entry: Point 1 (unless experience credited)
- Annual increment: One point per year of full-time service
- Scale maximum: Point 15 (€39,143)
- Long Service Increment (LSI): One additional LSI (€40,365) after 3 years at the scale maximum
Part-time SNAs accrue increments on a pro-rata basis.
SNA Annual Leave Entitlement
SNAs follow a school calendar and do not typically work during school holidays. Their annual leave entitlement and working pattern differs from year-round employees:
- SNAs work during term time only
- They are paid for 52 weeks of the year (salary spread across the year)
- Holidays correspond to the school calendar (mid-term, Christmas, Easter, summer)
- They do not have a separate statutory annual leave entitlement in the same way as year-round workers, as the school calendar provides natural leave periods
SNA Allowances
SNAs may receive certain additional payments:
| Allowance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supervision allowance | For specific supervision duties outside class hours |
| First aid allowance | Where a first aid qualification is held and duties are performed |
| Irish language allowance | For Irish-medium schools (Gaelscoileanna) where required |
Allowances vary by school and are set by Department of Education circulars.
What Does an SNA Do?
A Special Needs Assistant provides non-teaching support to children with special educational needs (SEN) in schools. Key responsibilities include:
- Personal care: Assisting students with physical needs including feeding, toileting, mobility
- Classroom support: Helping students access learning materials and participate in class activities
- Safety: Ensuring the physical safety of students who have medical or behavioural needs
- Behaviour support: Working within a team to manage behavioural support plans
- Communication: Assisting students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems
- Transition support: Helping students move between activities and settings
SNAs do not teach — they support learning under the direction of the class teacher or SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator).
SNA vs SET (Special Education Teacher) — The Difference
| Role | Qualification | Pay Scale | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNA | No formal qualification required (though many have QQI Level 5/6) | SNA scale | Non-teaching support and personal care |
| Special Education Teacher (SET) | Registered teacher qualification | Teacher scale | Teaching, assessment, IEP development |
SNAs and SETs work alongside each other to support children with special educational needs. The teacher leads the educational programme; the SNA provides practical support.
SNA Qualification Requirements
There is no mandatory qualification to become an SNA in Ireland, though most schools look for:
- QQI Level 5 or 6 in Healthcare Support, Special Needs Assisting, or a related field
- Experience working with children with special educational needs or disabilities
- A clean Garda vetting disclosure (essential)
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Patience, empathy, and commitment to working with children
Some schools and ETBs prefer candidates with nursing or healthcare backgrounds.
How to Get an SNA Job in Ireland
SNA vacancies are advertised:
- Directly by individual schools — most schools advertise on their own website or local job boards
- Education and Training Boards (ETBs) — for ETB-managed schools
- jobvacancies.ie — for public sector SNA roles
- National Council for Special Education (NCSE) — for information on SNA allocations
SNA positions are term-time. Many SNAs work across multiple schools or work as substitute SNAs to build experience.
SNA Pay Under Public Service Pay Agreements
SNA salaries are included in national public service pay agreements. The 2026 pay rates reflect the agreed increases under the current framework. Future increases will depend on successor pay agreements negotiated between Forsa (representing SNAs) and the Department of Public Expenditure.
SNA Pension
SNAs are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (if appointed after January 2013) or an older defined benefit scheme (if appointed before). Like other public servants, SNAs contribute a percentage of salary to their pension scheme.
The pension is index-linked and provides a defined benefit in retirement based on career average earnings and length of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the SNA salary in Ireland in 2026?
A: SNA salaries range from €29,158 (Point 1) to €40,365 (LSI) based on 2026 pay scales.
Q: How long does it take to reach the top of the SNA pay scale?
A: The scale has 15 points plus an LSI. At annual increments, you reach the scale maximum after approximately 14 years and the LSI after a further 3 years.
Q: Are SNAs employed by the school or the Department of Education?
A: Technically, SNAs are employed by the school’s Board of Management. Their pay, terms, and conditions are set by the Department of Education, and SNA allocations are managed by the NCSE.
Q: Can SNAs move into teaching?
A: SNAs who wish to become teachers must complete a full teacher education degree (usually 4 years undergraduate or 2 years postgraduate Professional Master of Education). SNA experience is valuable but does not exempt you from teaching qualification requirements.
Q: Is SNA work year-round?
A: No. SNAs work during school term time only. However, they are paid on a 52-week basis (salary spread across the year).
Q: Do SNAs get paid during summer holidays?
A: Yes. SNA pay is divided over 52 weeks. Their monthly pay during summer includes the deferred proportion of their term-time earnings.
Summary
- SNA pay scale in 2026: €29,158 – €40,365
- Annual increments for satisfactory service
- Employed by schools, funded by Department of Education
- Represented by Forsa trade union
- No mandatory qualification required, but QQI Level 5/6 is preferred
- Work during term time only, paid over 52 weeks
