Ahern demands clarity on SNA freeze
Ahern demands clarity on SNA freeze - The Labour Party
- Schools in Dublin South-West cannot cope without additional SNAs
Labour’s TD in Dublin South West, Ciarán Ahern, has called on the Minister for Education to explain why schools in his constituency are being denied additional Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), despite overwhelming evidence of need. Deputy Ahern said the refusal of additional SNA supports is leaving children without the support they need and putting significant strain on teachers and school staff.
Schools like Firhouse Educate Together, Cnoc Mhuire in Killinarden, and Scoil Aoife in Citywest have all been denied extra SNAs by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), despite recommendations for additional allocations from SENOs.
Deputy Ahern said:
“Many schools in Dublin South West have been in touch with me, deeply frustrated having gone through the correct procedures, documented their needs, and clearly demonstrated that they require additional SNAs, only to be told there is no allocation for them. This is not just bureaucratic delay — it is damaging to children who need and deserve additional supports in the classroom.
“The Taoiseach recently told me that certain supports for children with additional needs should be delivered through schools. I agree with him. But how can that happen when schools aren’t being given the resources they need? It’s time for some honesty from Government — is there an effective freeze on SNA allocations?
“When I put these questions to the Minister for Education, she simply passes responsibility to the NCSE. But when I contact the NCSE myself, I get silence. Nobody is willing to take ownership of this issue, and meanwhile schools in my constituency are left struggling. This is nowhere near good enough.
“Schools across Dublin-South West like Firhouse Educate Together, Scoil Aoife in Citywest and Cnoc Mhuire in Killinarden are doing incredible work with limited resources, but they’re at breaking point. They have made their case to the NCSE and the SENOs reviewing the cases have backed up the schools and have recommended additional SNAs for each of these schools. So why are these recommendations being ignored? Where is the accountability?
“Every child has the right to access education on an equal footing. That principle is being undermined by this failure to provide basic supports. Staff and teachers are burning out trying to meet the needs of children who require those supports, and ultimately its those children who are the victims. These supports are not optional extras — they are essential.
“Labour is calling on the Government to immediately clarify whether there is a de facto freeze on additional SNA allocations, to publish the decision-making criteria used by the NCSE, and to ensure that the voices of schools and SENOs are listened to.”