A review into the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) is expected to be completed within a month, the Tánaiste has said, after a minister claimed there was “no point” in setting a target date.
Simon Harris said the initial communication about the review, which warned almost 200 schools they could lose SNAs, was “botched”, reports Breaking News.
He added: “It is a really bad situation that caused a lot of upset, a lot of anger, a lot of hurt from parents of children with special educational needs, from children themselves, from SNAs and from teachers.”
The Department of Education “paused” the review following public backlash and criticism from opposition TDs, teachers, parents, and trade unions, reports Breaking News.
The pause came after the National Council for Special Education informed several schools that they could lose part of their SNA allocation.
On Friday, Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan said there was “no point” in announcing a target completion date for the review, reports Breaking News.
Mr Moynihan also repeatedly refused to say whether he expected any schools to lose SNAs.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty described the comments as “disgraceful” and accused Mr Moynihan of causing unnecessary panic for families, reports Breaking News.
Mr Doherty said: “Children with additional needs and their families are entitled to certainty, stability and respect,
“Parents and SNAs deserve a straight answer: Will any school lose SNA posts in September – yes or no?”, reports Breaking News.
Asked about Mr Moynihan’s comments on the timeline, Mr Harris said it was not his decision but expressed the view that the review should be completed within a month.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
He said: “It can only take a matter of weeks, and that’s just being honest, because we have to be able to provide clarity for the schools, and, most importantly, clarity for the children and their parents, and they need to have that clarity well in advance of September”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Moynihan also acknowledged that communication on the issue was “wrong” and that a “far better system” was needed.
He said the Department would engage intensively with schools on an individual basis, reports Breaking News.
Mr Moynihan added: “We cannot proceed with this because the (school) system does not have confidence in it.”
Asked if any school would lose an SNA in September, he said: “The process is now paused”, reports Breaking News.
He assured that the Department would ensure there is “no cliff edge”.
Pressed on whether the initially notified schools would still lose SNAs, Mr Moynihan reiterated that the process remains paused, reports Breaking News.
After previously saying the review would be done in “a number of weeks” and “as soon as possible”, Mr Moynihan declined to give a specific date.
He said: “There’s no point coming out and saying to you it will be done in a number of days, a number of weeks – it will be done properly”, reports Breaking News.
The minister repeatedly refused to clarify if any schools would lose SNAs or how many positions would be redeployed.
He added: “Let me be very clear, right? We have paused the entire process so therefore until that process is completely reviewed we will not be scaremongering, we will engage meticulously with all school communities and families that have contacted us”, reports Breaking News.
However, he said that schools which had been promised additional allocations would still receive that support.
“We’re increasing the number of SNAs”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Doherty said the Government should “confirm unequivocally that no school will lose SNA support as a result of this flawed process”.
He added: “Our children deserve better than a Government that is making policy on the hoof, They deserve certainty that they will have the support they need to thrive”, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
