Eligibility for continuing  support in the classroom by an SNA is now based on health and safety assessments of pupils or medical treatment only. Challenges such as ADHD, various degrees of autism or physical limitations are now no longer the criteria to continue assisting vulnerable children in mainstream classrooms. This places increased demands on the  teachers,  many of whom are already teaching  very large classes,   particularly in Kildare.  The Councillors claim the Government  is attempting to get special needs education on the cheap. The proposed cost savings fail to value the educational and developmental benefits that SNA’s provide to pupils who require individual assistance. While in many cases, the cutbacks cannot be justified when taking account of the long-term consequences for these decisions and the subsequent payment of social welfare for redundant SNA’s.

The decision is due to be implemented on 1st February.  The mid-term implementation does not take account of reactive behavioural issues or class disruption which will arise from a sudden departure of SNAs. Children with reduced or eliminated assistance hours will struggle to build on the resource teacher interventions that are designed to help them overcome social or physical limitations to their learning abilities. Resource teachers will not have time to fulfil the physio-, speech or behaviour therapies than enable intellectually and physically disadvantaged children to remain in mainstream educational classes. The capacities for teachers to cater for the broad range of intellectual needs in large classes will be further curtailed.

As in many areas of discussion on the public services, the issue has been over-simplified. It is more than a diminishing need for English language support or an excess of classroom supervision. Pupils with concentration problems do not keep pace with classmates without appropriate and refined help - which was necessary at the beginning of the year. The encouragement and direction that SNAs offer pupils helps to build the confidence and self-esteem which are necessary for lifelong progress. It is widely recognised that early intervention permits the most vulnerable to develop greater independence. They also require less state-funded support as they get older.

Given reduced supports, the Councillors claim that  principals may be reluctant to enrol children with special needs  into mainstream schools in the future.   The significant challenge that parents have faced to gain special supports will be all the harder for new generations of pupils entering the system,  this  will inevitably force  some parents back to the courts.

Cllrs. McEvoy and Murphy  are calling on the  Government to put a stay on further depletion of SNA numbers until a published review can be objectively assessed for our current and future needs.