Is cuid ríthábhachtach den phobal iad na cúntóirí riachtanas speisialta. Ceadaíonn na cúntóirí riachtanas speisialta do pháistí foghlaim agus fás. Another fine mess that the Government has created. I am genuinely here in disbelief at the absolute hack of the Government backbenchers, rambling in, every single one of them, pretending to be shocked at the implications of the budget that they bloody well voted for. I want to talk to the Ministers about a woman I know, Niamh, who is an SNA. I asked her how the Government made her feel because, ultimately, the Government is her employer. She asked me to tell the Ministers that they have kicked the can down the road. She is not stupid, and she knows what they are at. She asked me to let them know that this limbo and uncertainty is impacting, ultimately, on the students who need support, and on the whole classroom. This chaos caused by the Government has unearthed a problem that has always been there. There needs to be an overhaul. SNAs, teachers, students and families need certainty. A one-size-fits-all approach has not worked and will not work. There must be recognition for the actual work that SNAs do. They deserve respect. I agree with Niamh. A parent in my family wrote the following to me: We ALL know there is a serious lack of support for children with needs and their families in this country, so I cannot understand why more is not being done for them, never mind understanding the logic behind support being taken away! It is time to end the unrealistic idea that only children with significant primary care needs should have access to an SNA. My son could not function in school without access to his SNA (whom he shares with 4 other children) for his self-regulation, focus, helping with his peer/social relationships, essential movement breaks and [essential services within the classroom]. Another parent wrote: After CAMHS … deemed [my child] not severe enough to see [them] I like thousands of Irish Parents paid privately to get [an] assesment and recommendations in place for … school. My [child] requires movement breaks which the SNA provides. My [child] doesnt need 1 to 1 care. How is a teacher meant to manage a big class and provide the extra requirements for children with additional needs? I will address the remarks made by one of the Government backbenchers. She is not here now, but I am sure she will look back on it. She said - how does the phrase go? - "Let us not waste a crisis." You know what? Why does the Government not cause a bloody crisis in the first place? Do the Ministers understand the impact this has had on students, SNAs, teachers and the whole school community? Then the Ministers come in here and tell us black is white and that they are actually increasing the numbers. The letters are there. Teachers and principals have seen them and they have contacted us. The letters are telling them that the SNA they have at the moment will be gone. That is a cut in any person's language. Stop cutting SNAs and start respecting them.

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