At budget time, I welcomed the additional SNA posts. I was concerned as to whether these were new or existing roles but I did welcome them. All of us in this House have received numerous emails over the past day or so following SNA reviews and information that has filtered down to schools. I have been contacted by numerous teachers, principals, parents and SNAs, particularly from Bweeng National School. Many schools that have been notified that they will have their SNA resources reduced for the coming school year have informed me that this does not reflect the reality on the ground. When they tell me resources are not only needed but need to be increased, I take that very seriously. The NCSE has created a rigid system in the allocation of SNAs that does not take into account the majority of learning difficulties faced by children in our schools. SNAs have contacted me with very legitimate and genuine concerns for their work. They are concerned about whether they will have a role in their school next year and whether they will have to move for work. They now feel that they are in limbo. We should not treat any worker in such a manner. Will the Taoiseach ask the Department of Education and Youth and the Minister to intervene immediately to alleviate these concerns and provide some clarity to these SNAs?

Sentiment score: 0.08

I welcome that.

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