Councillors seek full retraction of SNA review
Councillors in Cavan have called for the complete abandonment of a planned review of Special Needs Assistant allocations, arguing that merely “pausing” the process is not enough to reassure school communities.
The issue was raised at the March meeting of Cavan County Council by Damien Brady of Sinn Féin, who said the proposed 2026 review had “sent shockwaves” through schools across the country.
The controversy first emerged when the National Council for Special Education wrote to several schools warning that they could lose part of their Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocation.
Following a strong public backlash from parents, teachers, unions and opposition TDs, the Department of Education (Ireland) announced that the review would be paused. In the Dáil Éireann, Micheál Martin confirmed that no school would lose an SNA during the current academic year and no SNA would lose their job.
However, Cllr Brady questioned whether a “pause” is sufficient.
“A pause is not an answer,” he said. “Parents, SNAs and our children want certainty because the threat of these cuts still hangs over schools and the children who depend on this support.”
He said SNAs play a vital role in the education system, providing life-changing assistance to students with additional needs.
“To threaten to pull this support from these children and their families is shameful,” he said.
Cllr Brady stressed that every child deserves the right to an education and that teachers and SNAs understand the needs of pupils better than anyone else. He also highlighted the importance of early intervention, saying it gives children the best chance to reach their full potential.
“We hear stories of SNAs who haven’t time to take their coats off in the morning before a child runs straight to them,” he said.
Reducing or limiting SNA allocations, he argued, fails to recognise the essential work SNAs carry out in classrooms across the country.
“The Government must realise that at the centre of every one of these decisions is a child,” he added. “No child should be left behind in our education system.”
Out of touch
The motion was seconded by his party colleagues Stiofán Conaty and Noel Connell, who both described the proposed review as out of touch with the reality faced by schools.
Independent councillor Brendan Fay labelled the proposal “ill-advised”, while Clifford Kelly of Fianna Fáil acknowledged that the review “should never have happened.”
His party colleague Patricia Walsh also highlighted the important role SNAs play in the lives of the children they support.
Meanwhile Áine Smith, also of Fianna Fáil, speaking as a teacher, said primary school staff would struggle to do their jobs properly without the additional support SNAs provide.
“The Government did not handle it well at all,” she said, adding that she was glad the decision had been reconsidered.
The motion also received backing from Trevor Smith of Fine Gael and Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley.