When I speak about special needs assistants today, I want to do so in a fashion that is factual and considered because behind all the headlines and all the political noise over the past week there are real children, real families and real SNAs who show up every single morning to do extraordinary work. Special needs assistants are not an add-on to the education system; they are part of the foundation of inclusive education in Ireland. They support children with additional care needs, assisting with mobility, personal care, communication, emotional regulation and helping students participate safely and meaningfully in school life. Their work allows teachers to teach, schools to function and children to belong. Over the past decade the number of SNAs has increased significantly in response to growing and more complex needs. The State now funds thousands of SNA posts annually through the Department of education, with allocations advised by the NCSE. The expansion did not happen by accident. It reflects a policy decision that children with additional needs should be supported in mainstream education wherever possible. That is the right policy direction, but if we are being honest, the growth has presented massive challenges. Schools need clarity well in advance of each academic year that allocations are transparent and evidence-based, that SNAs themselves are recognised as skilled professionals within our education system and that communication with schools shall never create fear again. The Minister has visited east Galway and has met with many different schools, but I want to highlight this. One of the biggest issues in our education sector in east Galway is the demand for SNAs and the need for more SNAs and for schools to be better supported. The need is growing but we need to rise to meet it.

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