INTO condemns AON changes without consultation

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has strongly criticised Minister Foley’s recent announcement regarding changes to the Assessment of Need (AON) process, describing the move as being made in “bad faith” without prior consultation with teachers or their unions.

INTO is calling for immediate engagement with the Department of Education and Youth, warning that schools and teachers cannot continue to respond to a constant stream of ministerial initiatives while supports for children with special educational needs remain insufficient.

The announcement coincides with two major workload studies, including the DCU Create ‘Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Research 2025’ study, which highlight the unsustainable pressures on Irish teachers and school leaders.

INTO General Secretary John Boyle condemned the unilateral decision: “Teachers were not consulted, briefed, or even informed in advance of these proposals. That is bad faith, pure and simple. Meaningful consultation is the absolute minimum expected when changes are proposed to a system already fraught with controversy. It is grossly unfair that vulnerable children are being used as political footballs while timely assessments and supports remain lacking.”

Boyle further criticised the Minister for attempting to shift responsibility onto teachers and school leaders, adding that principals, special education teachers, and mainstream class teachers have been treated with “profound disrespect.”

INTO plans to raise the issue at tomorrow’s Primary Education Forum, while its Central Executive Committee will meet in the coming days to consider further action.