Proposed guidance criteria for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have sparked concern, with a parents group expressing fear that some children could lose their SNAs if the guidelines are implemented.
In response to concern and after engagement with Fórsa, the Department of Education confirmed on Thursday that it will issue clarification on the guidance, which will involve writing to schools to inform them that there will be “no change or narrowing” of the criteria for SNA supports being provided to children.
The 2025/26 guidelines for the review of SNA allocations had set out plans to reduce the level of care identified in schools as the care needs of the children could “be appropriately supported with less resources than are currently allocated.”
The NCSE has said that some 1,400 school reviews took place over the last 12 months, which campaigners say demonstrates the need for considerable additional SNA posts to be funded within the Budget. There are an estimated 23,000 SNAs in Ireland, who ensure that students with significant care needs attend school and can access education.
A petition around the changes gathered over 11,000 signatures on Change.org. It was set up by a Special Needs Assistant and mother of an autistic boy, who said she was deeply concerned about the proposed NCSE Guidelines for the Review of SNA Allocations for 2025/26.
“These changes threaten both the vital support that children with additional needs depend on, and the job security of the SNAs who dedicate their lives to helping them,” the petition reads.
It voiced concern for SNAs, who may be faced with job insecurity if schools are judged to have a surplus of SNA posts. For children, there are concerns that those who rely on a familiar and consistent SNA may lose stability, and that those with behaviours of concern may no longer qualify for support.
One parent support group representing almost 500 families in Galway told Gript that they are “deeply concerned” about the new guidelines. Autism / Neurodiversity Oranmore Athenry (ANOA) support group said they fear that the new SNA guidelines will spell the exclusion of sensory, emotion and regulation needs.
“This will hit children with diagnoses in mainstream classes particularly, children who integrate into mainstream as well as DEIS schools. We appeal to all TDs to revise these guidelines, remembering that there are many parts of the country still without enough, or any, special classes or schools. In those cases, schools rely on the assistance of SNAs to help all students access the curriculum.”
Following engagements yesterday by Fórsa with the Dáil Joint Committee for Education and Youth, the Department of Education says it will now clarify the guidance criteria for SNAs at primary school level.
Fórsa, the trade union for public service staff, said it is not aware of any reductions in Mainstream SNA allocations taking place following a request for an exceptional review. It also said that to its knowledge, nor have posts been lost as a consequence of a routine school review.