Donegal MD to contact Minister for Education regarding potential SNA cuts

Councillors of Donegal Municipal District called for the council to contact the Minister for Education and Youth for Ireland, Hildegarde Naughton, regarding potential cuts to SNA funding (Special Needs Assistants). 

Cllr Michael Boyle spoke at February’s Donegal MD meeting and was supported by Cllr Jimmy Brogan in calling for a letter to be sent to Minister Naughton. 

He said: “Regarding potential cuts to the SNAs and local schools. I don’t know if it is official yet, but a lot of schools say they are being cut.

“I would like, as a Municipal District, to be up to date on this and send a letter to Hildegarde Naughton.

“It is ridiculous because a school is going to be hugely affected. Schools don’t function without these SNAs.

“A lot of the staff who were the last-in will be the first-out, and that is unfair.”

READ NEXT: Donegal Municipal District queried on ‘inevitable’ staff turnover

Cllr Brogan followed Cllr Boyle, as he commented: “Just because your child doesn’t have additional needs doesn’t mean they are affected. 

“I don’t see any new SNAs in Donegal. I only see them being cut. I think I only see them being cut. We need to find out where they are, and if they are not in Donegal, then we need to find out why not.”

Area Manager in Donegal Municipal District in Housing and Corporate Services, Pauric Sheerin, responded: “We will be happy to send a letter to the Minister in relation to that.”