Special Needs Assistants should have access to appropriate training and supports, according to the Fórsa Trade Union.
The union has told the Oireachtas Education Committee, SNAs require the additional professional training to allow them to support the mental health needs of the students they work with.
The committee heard SNAs also need to be able to respond to, for example, the death of a fellow student and the impact it may have.
Industrial relations officer with Forsa, Gary Honer, says education psychology services provide a great help, but it is time-limited.
