A Lack of Clarity: Controversial SNA Reviews Cause Panic

While education in the Republic of Ireland was once amongst the worst systems in Europe, it has made major strides since the inception of free higher second-level education in 1967. The system still faces major setbacks, however, such as the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) having recently announced reviews surrounding SNA provision. These reviews have seemingly led to cuts in SNA programmes in Irish schools, both primary and secondary. These SNAs form close bonds with their children and provide necessary care and attention to not only help them progress through their schooling years, but also keep them coming to school day after day. They are the backbone of many schools, as they are trained to a different standard than the normal teacher, not interacting with the large majority of students, but making an immense difference in the lives of those they do. 

The allocation for SNAs is based on primary care needs, and children who currently possess SNAs, but do not possess high enough needs, according to the government, may be left without them in the coming September. Many schools received letters from the NCSE, stating they could lose part of their SNA allocation soon, with some losing as much as 60% of their staff.  This decision is hypocritical of the government, as they have long since claimed that children with special needs should stay in mainstream schools unless absolutely necessary. Yet, 194 schools received such letters, with many still awaiting review before the release of their release. To send out these letters, while leaving many schools under the looming pressure of receiving such a notice, has led to further confusion from schools countrywide. 

This has led to major concern for not just SNAs over the safety of their jobs, but also from parents of students who need or have SNAs. Protests have been held at schools since these letters were received, one of which is Johnstown Boys National School in South Dublin. With a current staff of nine SNAs, but were told their numbers could be reduced to as few as 3.8. With a reported 55 students with additional needs, nine SNAs already seems like a low number, but having this cut by over half is abhorrent and unrealistic. 

A mother of a student at Johnstown Boys National School, who was interviewed at the public demonstration by RTÉ, was quoted as saying how her son's SNA support was as if “a light switched on for him” and that he still needs this support in his future at the school. The idea that a student, anywhere, who is in desperate need of additional help and resources, could have that stripped away from them is a horrible thought, and could deeply impact their education both currently, from fear of that loss, and in the future if it is lost. 

A larger protest has been planned to take place in Dublin City outside Leinster House, on Wednesday, 25th, at 5 pm. This came about after the Labour Party of Ireland hosted an online meeting where around 400 citizens were in attendance, both to show support for our SNAs and in search of answers.

This past week, the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, announced a pause to the review of the SNA allocation following many parents and educators raising major concerns. While this seems like a step forward, it failed to quell concerns, as the decisions originally made surrounding reductions and reallocations lacked much clarity.

The main concern for many SNAs is their lack of input on this decision and unclear communication from the government. While Naughton has stated that no SNAs will be cut, reallocations may not be liable for many in the profession. Ireland is currently facing a cost-of-living crisis, which could deeply affect the prospect of anyone moving for a job. While SNAs are hired directly by the school, it is entirely government-funded in the public sector. So, if a school's funding was cut, while another's was increased, SNAs would be forced to move where the work is or seek another line of profession.

Naughton stated that the number of SNAs has increased by 45% since 2020 and that €3 billion in funding will be allocated to the programme this year, reportedly leading to an additional 1,700 SNAs as compared to 2025. With Naughton claiming in a public statement that she has “listened carefully to all of the issues raised by parents and school communities in recent days. I want to reiterate that there are no cuts to SNA numbers.” However, this increased funding and intent to reallocate SNAs are contradictory. If this large amount of funding is being extended to the programme, why would schools lose any of their staff, let alone over half?

One school that had not yet received a letter was a DEIS primary school. DEIS, or Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, is a programme which aims to reduce educational disadvantage by offering additional resources. Its principal, Ann Marie, sent an email to Naughton inviting her to join one of her Junior Infants classrooms, as she is aware her school would stand to lose support and resources under the government's current criteria. 

She detailed in an interview with RTÉ that the criteria, set in 2014, under which students qualify for SNA help are flawed and do not present the full reach of their work. This criterion includes an assessed disability or medical condition. Yet, wait lists for children to be tested are at an all-time high, with some parents claiming they are on a two-and-a-half-year-long waitlist, which does not include the added time of rehabilitation and treatment. She was quoted as stating that “the needs of children have changed so much since then. The causes are societal; increased child poverty, homelessness, and where does that play out? It plays out in the classroom."

Current Minister of State for Special Education, Michael Moynihan, has refused to give an exact date or timeline as to when issues surrounding the reviews will be resolved, quoted as saying there is “no point” in giving such a date, while also refusing to comment on whether any schools will lose SNAs, according to RTÉ. Taoiseach Micheál Martin also declined to provide an exact timeline. He was quoted as saying, in an interview with RTÉ at a Cambridge University event, that the government will not “over-dwell” on the issue currently and that “those schools where an additional need has been identified will receive that additional help". He went without stating whether or not schools that are facing cuts will be followed through on after the pause.

Government officials are evidently refusing to provide answers on these reviews, and while paused, their looming presence is still causing dread to many working in the profession on the families and schools of those they work with. It is unknown what will come of these further reviews; that said, with consistent public backlash and immense pressure on the NCSE and government, one can remain hopeful that decisions over reallocation and cuts will be reversed.