Kenny urges rethink of rushed SNA changes
Kenny urges rethink of rushed SNA changes - The Labour Party
Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has called on the Minister for Education to suspend the implementation of the National Council for Special Education’s (NCSE) 2025/26 Special Needs Assistance (SNA) Review Process guidelines, warning that the proposed changes will have serious consequences for school communities.
Deputy Kenny said:
“The new NCSE guidelines are deeply concerning. They propose narrowed criteria, the unification of mainstream and special class allocations, and a restrictive definition of complex needs. Parents, teachers and principals have already raised the alarm with me. School communities are extremely worried that these guidelines will not meet the real needs of children with additional requirements.
“The six-week consultation window is far too short. It is not realistic for such a complex and important process that will determine children’s access to supports for the school year ahead. To try and push this through in such a rushed way shows a disregard for families and schools.
“Labour is calling for the Minister to suspend the introduction of these guidelines until adequate consultation with schools has taken place. We also need a clear and fair set of criteria for defining complex needs, adequate training and time for staff to understand new requirements, and assurances that SNA supports will not be reduced due to bureaucratic barriers. The appeals process must also be robust and accessible.
“The Minister has failed on special educational needs thus far. Three separate Dáil motions have highlighted the shortcomings in the current system, yet no progress has been made. School communities are worried that this will be another failure. I am calling on the Minister to suspend these guidelines immediately and to engage with school communities properly.”