Special needs assistants and parents to protest on the Market Square this week

Parents and SNAs 'worried about consequences of potential cuts to schools'

Special needs assistants (SNAs) and parents of children with additional needs will protest at Market Square, Mullingar at 5pm on Wednesday February 25, in one of numerous protests across the country.

In a statement, the organisers said: “As local parents and SNAs, we are worried about the consequences of potential SNA cuts to our schools. The government’s decision to ‘pause’ the SNA allocation review does not resolve crises in schools and does not restore confidence of SNAs, parents or teachers.”

They say they view the review as evidence of systemic failure and a continued unwillingness to address the real drivers of pressure in schools.

“When you reduce SNA numbers, you remove our children’s safe person, you increase anxiety in classrooms, you push children to burnout, you weaken inclusion at its foundation, you force children out of education.”

After public petitions on the SNA review process gathered tens of thousands of signatures over several days, Minister Naughton announced a pause to the review.

“The government’s response cannot simply be the halting of a flawed process – we are calling for a meaningful expansion of SNA provision nationwide and for sustained investment to match the growing level and complexity of need in schools.

“Without SNAs, so many children would not be able to access the school curriculum. School would become a place of stress and anxiety for so many and that would increase the pressure on teachers and principals – who are already stretching finite resources.

“Ensuring our SNAs remain in their posts and the government actively recruit more to meet the growing demand, means all children can participate in school."