Students miss tour due to cuts

A reduction in the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) assigned to Breifne College in Cavan resulted in four special needs students missing a school tour recently. An outraged parent of one of the students, Hughie Murray, told The Anglo-Celt this week that it was very disturbing to watch his son at the window crying and not understanding why he had been excluded from the tour. The children had access to adequate SNAs in primary school, according to their parents and now that they are in secondary school, they are being left to their own devices for many hours each week. The parents are calling on the department to provide SNAs on a one-to-one basis for six students attending the school who require assistance. John Kearney, the principal of Breifne College, said he and the school are 100% behind the parents in their fight for more special needs assistants. "The school is very much aware of the frustration and concern of parents and we share in that," he told The Anglo-Celt. "The school is working in tandem with Cavan VEC with a view to seeking additional resources," added Mr. Kearney. He revealed that they are in the process of a third appeal on this issue since cuts in this area were first announced. The school's allocation of SNAs was cut from 4.2 to three as a result of the cutbacks. However, there are two days of the week where the school only has two SNAs rostered on. Two students are wheelchair users in their first year at the school. "The toiletry needs and primary care needs of these pupils are very demanding," said Mr. Kearney. "The needs of the children here are more acute than before," he added. "I have met each parent at least twice and some parents three or four times on this issue," said the principal. Mr. Kearney said that he was not giving up the fight for better resources and support for his students. "The department have never been found wanting when it came to catering for the education needs of Breifne College and I'm sure it will not be found wanting on this occasion," he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said that it does not comment on individual cases. However, he said that it is open to any school or parent to contact their local SENO (special educational needs organisers) to discuss any special education needs that pupils may have. "The NCSE (National Council for Special Education) has been requested by the Department to arrange for its SENOs to review SNA allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met." That review is due to be complete by the end of the year. Meanwhile, parent Philip Brady told The Anglo Celt that there is no SNA with his son Lorcan who has Down Syndrome on Mondays or Fridays. Last year, there were only three special needs students in the college and there was an SNA for each student, he said. Philip and his wife Deirdre pointed out that the special needs population in the school has doubled, but the number of SNAs have not been increased proportionally. "When you have four special needs students in first year and two others in two separate higher classes, then three into six does not go," said Deirdre. She adds that the problem will only intensify when her son goes into the Junior Cycle. Brendan Murray is a first year student and has cerebral palsy. His mother Mary said that their son requires help but he is not getting it. "He is falling behind on his writing and his maths," she said. John Smith is another wheelchair user attending the school. He too has cerebral palsy and his mother Mary says he needs an SNA full-time. "John has to be put into a standing frame everyday and it takes two SNAs to do that. Two weeks ago, they were off and he did not get into the frame at all and consequently got no exercise. He was left just sitting in his chair," said Mary. He also has to be helped going to the toilet and that requires two SNAs. John was terribly disappointed that he was not allowed to go on the school trip. His father Sean said when SNAs get sick; "we have to bring our son home from school". Another parent Maurice Pickett from Ballyhaise whose daughter Florence is in third year and has Down Syndrome is worried about the long terms consequences of not having somebody there to help her.