There will be no SNA cuts next year and this is welcome but it does not undo the damage that has already been done. It is significant that public money was spent sending SENOs across the country trying to save money and making cuts. They were forced into it. It was wasted because this process lacks transparency and respect for staff, parents and children. How fiercely we protect the most vulnerable in society, and will continue to do so, was misjudged. In cases where schools no longer needed SNAs and it came to a natural conclusion when the child moved on, they were willing to step aside. I have dealt with these schools but instead of careful planning, it was a chaotic, top-down process that was imposed on them. Accountability is essential and whoever is responsible for the wasted resources, the undermining of SENOs and the anxiety it has caused families needs to take responsibility. Does this lie with the special education section of the Department of education? That is a question that needs to be answered. The 2014 circular for SNA allocations must be revised explicitly to provide for children with emotional regulation needs. Any review cannot come before a pathway to reduction, or by stealth, which there was an attempt to impose here. When the Government says it was not, yes, it paused it but we all know that the SENOs had until 31 January to make sure the reports were in. They were in, and you could see what was coming. It is only because the public and the Opposition stood up and said, "Enough is enough". This is the way it has to be. There has to be accountability and transparency. The lesson is clear: without accountability and a circular that safeguards every child, this injustice will repeat itself and the Government will bear the shame. The Government has to take responsibility when it goes right but it also has to take responsibility when it goes wrong.

Sentiment score: -0.07