Over 500 Teachers & SNA's Have Taken Leave Because Of Assaults In The Past Five Years

Thursday, 23 March 2023 09:25

By Caoimhe Harney

150 teachers and more than 500 SNAs applied for "assault leave" since the scheme was introduced in 2017.

Over 500 teachers and special needs assistants have taken leave of absence because of physical assaults over the last 6 years.

The scheme was first introduced in September 2017.

More than 500 special-needs assistants and teachers were absent from work because of physical assaults in schools in the last six years.

150 teachers and more than 500 SNAs applied for "assault leave" since the scheme was introduced in 2017.

There were 142 successful applications for leave under the scheme in the last school year.

Figures from the Department of Education show from September 2017 to January of this year there were 663 applications for leave, 341 of which were in primary schools, 313 in special schools and nine in secondary schools.

The maximum leave for assault is three months at full pay but it can be extended in serious cases.

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