SNA Review Botched: Parents Demand Clarity

The Department of Education has paused a review of special needs assistant (SNA) allocations after initial communications led to nearly 200 schools being informed they might lose support. Tanaiste Simon Harris described the communication as "botched," acknowledging it caused considerable distress to parents, children, SNAs, and teachers. The review was halted due to public outcry from various stakeholders.

Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan stated there was "no point" in setting a target date for the review's completion and repeatedly refused to confirm if any schools would lose SNAs. He assured that the entire process is paused, no decisions have been made, and there will be no "cliff edge" for affected schools. New communication will replace previous notifications.

Despite the ongoing pause, Tanaiste Simon Harris expressed his view that the review should be completed within a month to provide necessary clarity for schools, children, and parents well before September. Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty criticized the minister's comments as "disgraceful" and demanded unequivocal confirmation that no school would lose SNA support. Moynihan did confirm that schools notified of additional allocations would still receive them, as the overall number of SNAs is increasing.