‘Fair play to parents and teachers’ as government pauses review of SNA allocations

Donegal Sinn Féin representatives have praised parents and teachers for “forcing” the government to pause their plans to alter special needs assistant (SNA) allocations in schools. 

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD confirmed the review of SNA allocations has been paused while the government engages “intensively” with the concerns raised.

The opposition had highlighted concerns from teachers, parents and trade unions on whether SNA support would be reduced at some schools in the next academic year. 

“Fair play to the parents of children with disabilities and teachers who have forced the government to pause their plans to cut the numbers of SNAs in schools in Donegal and across the State,” Sinn Féin TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn said. “But those cuts should be stopped now and not just paused for another review.

“The cruel and cold letters sent to these schools have caused huge distress to parents. I have read their stories and how important their SNAs are to their children. They have been given great support by the school principals, teachers and the other parents in the schools. This has to stop now.”

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Party colleague Councillor Jack Murray added: “Fantastic news that the government has been forced to U-turn on the cuts to SNAs in schools, and have today announced that they've 'paused' the review.

“While we'll need to continue to keep an eye on developments, this is nonetheless a victory for all the parents, teachers and community campaigners who rallied together to stand up for some of the most vulnerable children in our society. People power has won the day.”

The review, carried out by the National Council for Special Education, had caused significant concern among parents and educators amid fears that some schools could lose vital SNA supports.

“Parents and school staff were deeply worried about the potential impact on children with additional needs,” Fianna Fáil Councillor Martin McDermott said. “Pausing the process allows time for proper consultation and ensures that no child’s support is reduced without full engagement and transparency.

“SNAs are an essential part of our education system. Any changes to allocations must be handled carefully, fairly and with the best interests of children at heart. This pause is a recognition that the concerns raised by families and schools were valid and needed to be heard.

“We must now use this time to ensure clarity, fairness and adequate resourcing going forward. Our children deserve nothing less.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme