I thank my colleagues in Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion. I especially thank them for bringing together over 1,100 SNAs, teachers and parents last night. They shared with us some of the most beautiful, moving and powerful accounts of the difference that SNAs make in our schools. Most importantly, they spoke of the profound impact SNAs have on the development and well-being of tens of thousands of children across the State. There were tears, disgust, outrage, hurt, upset, alarm and fear. One lady with Down's syndrome spoke about her experience of having the support of an SNA and how it made her thrive and excel. It was an absolute lifeline for her. Last night's meeting left me wondering how the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael-led Government could ever conclude that cutting the number of SNAs would result in anything other than a devastating impact on schools, teachers, families and children right across the country. Schools still need clarity and SNAs still need certainty and not just a sticking plaster for another year. SNAs are not an optional extra. They are an integral part of our schools, woven into the very fabric of the school environment. They cannot simply be cut or relocated at the whim of the Minister or the NCSE. The fact is that children excel with supports. They deserve better than to be the subject of some box-ticking exercise. The Ministers should not just treat them like numbers. I would really like to know what is wrong with this Government. Why does it keep making a mess of everything? At the end of every mess it makes are real people and, in this case, real children. They deserve better.

Sentiment score: 0.15