Some of the words being used by parents, special needs assistants, SNAs and teachers alike in the past few days are "panic", "fear" and "anger". They are beside themselves with worry after schools received letters informing them of the decision of the Government to cut their SNA allocations. We have heard of schools losing as many as five or six SNAs. These cuts will be devastating for children with additional needs who depend on their SNAs to cope with challenges, to be included, to learn, to progress and to reach their full potential in school. The Government will now rip that support away from them. This is a cruel decision. It comes on top of the fact that many children across the State are still being denied access to a special class or special school place. Some 200 schools have already been informed that they will have their SNA numbers cut in September, and that is with just half of the SNA allocation reviews having been completed. Even more cuts are on the way. SNA supports in schools were already stretched to the limit. This will only make a bad situation far worse. The decision of the Government to restrict the allocation of SNAs only to children who have a primary care need, that is, toileting or medicine, is driving this cull. The Government ignores the wider role of SNAs for children with learning disabilities, sensory needs and behavioural challenges. SNAs help children to focus, participate and interact. They also provide emotional support and build confidence. These supports are life-changing for so many children and now the Government will pull the rug from under their futures. This is a massive step backwards. One principal has stated that these SNA cuts set special education in mainstream schools back by 30 years. The Taoiseach says that we have more SNAs than ever. He rattles off big numbers but that is no comfort to a parent who has seen their child progress and thrive with the support of an SNA and who has seen their child go from dreading school to loving school with the support of their SNA. Parents are now racked with worry because their child will lose that support come September. Paula Byrne is one such parent. Her son Ciaran attends Johnstown Boys National School in Dublin. Ciaran has autism and ADHD. He will lose his SNA support because of these cuts. I heard Paula on the news yesterday pleading with the Taoiseach and the Government not to do this. She says that Ciaran really struggles to stay at school. It is vital that he has SNA support. He cannot manage without it. She said please do not take away his SNA support. What was the Taoiseach's response to parents like Paula and to schools? He told them to appeal. There was no help, no comfort, no solution; they were just told to appeal. That was a reply as cold as the cuts themselves. Déanfaidh na ciorraithe ar chúntóirí riachtanas speisialta dochar as cuimse do leanaí le sainriachtanais oideachasúla. Caithfear stop a chur leis an gcinneadh cruálach seo. Ní chóir go gcuirfear na ciorraithe ar SNAs i gcrích. A pause is no good to anyone. In fact, it only adds to the uncertainty and the anxiety of parents, schools and SNAs. The Taoiseach needs to stop this now and not just pause it. Take this plan off the table. Tell parents, teachers and SNAs that he will not proceed with these cuts.
Sentiment score: -0.00
Níl an Rialtas ar a dtaobh. Níl sé ar thaobh na SNAs, na páistí nó na múinteoirí.
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The Taoiseach seems to not accept or understand that schools in any event have been struggling and are under pressure. If there is an excess of SNAs across the school communities of this land, I certainly have not seen it. I think all of our colleagues would confirm that if you go from school to school and principal to principal, you will see that they are tearing out their hair out as they try to do the best for the children under the most enormous pressure. Now the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, is proposing cuts. Yes, cuts. Here is what it is going to mean: Fossa National School near Killarney will be down four SNAs; Johnstown Boys National School in Dublin, which I mentioned, will be down five SNAs; and Scoil Barra in Ballincollig in Cork will be down two SNAs. That is just a small sample. We could go on and on. That is merely a snapshot of what is in store. Now it seems that the Government is going to review the review. It is talking about a pause. That is of absolutely no use to anyone. In fact, I would argue that it will add to the anxiety.
Sentiment score: -0.08
The Government needs to acknowledge and respect the vital, essential role of SNAs for children in the school system.
Sentiment score: 0.65
The Government also needs to commit to not to cut any of them. That is what is needed. That is what the Taoiseach needs to say.
Sentiment score: 0.15
I hope the Taoiseach will get to his feet, alleviate the anxiety of parents and SNAs and make it clear these cuts will not proceed.
Sentiment score: 0.38
I have given the Taoiseach the numbers there.
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So is Fossa not losing four?
Sentiment score: 0.29
Johnstown is losing five.
Sentiment score: -0.38
How many should they lose?
Sentiment score: -0.40
Oh my God, you are so out of touch with what is happening.
Sentiment score: 0.27
The Taoiseach is out of touch with what is happening.
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Oh my goodness.
Sentiment score: 0.46
No, I am saying-----
Sentiment score: -0.30
That is disingenuous.
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That is utterly disingenuous.
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It was needed five years ago, or ten years ago.
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I have no tolerance for waffle.
Sentiment score: 0.00