Concern that SNA crisis could hit Kildare

A TD has expressed concern that a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) crisis could loom over County Kildare in the near future, if the government fails to act immediately.

The comments follow after the The Department of Education paused a controversial review of SNA allocations and redeployment last month due to backlash from opposition TDs, teachers, parents and trade unions.

Shortly afterwards, the Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton TD (Fine Gael), announced that there would be no cuts to SNAs across schools in Ireland, including those in Kildare, for the upcoming academic year.

However, the TD, who represents South Kildare, has said that she still remains sceptical over the government's handling of the matter.

After previously expressing criticism over the review pause, Sinn Féin Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, who is also her party's spokesperson for Special Education, said today (March 4): "Things are going from bad to worse in Special Education."

"A few weeks ago, the SNA allocation to a third of the schools reviewed was almost cut, meaning that children who relied on SNA support would lose it overnight, [which was] an absolutely cruel decision by the government. Thanks to community enthusiasm across the State, these cuts were reversed."

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Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, who is also a former teacher, continued:  "Now, it is being reported that, based on the number of families who have registered with the NCSE [National Council for Special Education] that their children would need a special class place, there will be a shortfall of 200 special classes in September.  That would cover almost a thousand children.

"This cannot happen; the Minister for Education needs to work to meet that demand between now and September."

The Kildare town-based politician further said: "Every child in this State has the right to receive an appropriate education that meets their needs, but currently, too many children and families still struggle to find a suitable school place or access the appropriate supports.

"It's the same story year after year; when will this government learn that it's not good that there are children who can't go to school because of the government's wasteful approach?

“This not only shows a lack of vision and planning, but it also shows a lack of respect for those with disabilities.

"No child should be left behind."

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HOPE

Despite her criticism, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh stressed that she remained hopeful: "It is not too late to put things right for the coming school year.

"I have contact with a number of schools who are trying to meet the demand and are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment; the Minister just needs to provide them with the funding."

"The Minister has 37A powers available to him [sic] if any school is reluctant to open new classes.

"Currently, there are a disproportionate number of special needs classes in DEIS [Delivering Equality of Opportunity] schools and very few in private schools, and this is a problem that needs to be addressed."

She also said that significant investment will be required: "If the Minister was able to find an additional 19 million to avoid cuts in the number of SNAs due to public pressure, surely the additional money needed to open enough additional classes can also be found?

"There is no excuse when we are dealing with a constitutional right; the government must also protect schools and classes aimed at those with mild general learning disabilities.

"The Minister is redefining this provision and early intervention classes in a bid to reduce the number of children on waiting lists, and this is not right or fair."

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh concluded: "Excellent work is being done in these classes and they have unique expertise with years of experience."

The Department of Education has been contacted by the Leinster Leader in relation to the Deputy's comments.

Sinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.