SNA cuts criticised as 'out of touch with reality' in Waterford 

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Deputy David Cullinane has said that schools across the county are deeply concerned and frustrated following confirmation of cuts to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations.

Deputy Cullinane said the Minister for Education is “out of touch with the reality facing families and schools on the ground".

Commenting on the issue Deputy Cullinane said: "Schools in Waterford are contacting me following the outcome of recent SNA allocation reviews, and the message could not be clearer - these cuts will have a real and damaging impact on children with additional needs."

“Parents are extremely anxious about what September will look like," he said.

"They are worried that their children will lose vital supports that help them participate fully in school life," he added, before adding their anxiety is entirely justified.

“The Minister’s suggestion that schools should simply appeal these decisions to the NCSE is not good enough," he said.

"Principals and teachers in Waterford are already under immense pressure," he added. 

"They do not have the time or resources to fight bureaucratic battles just to retain supports their pupils already rely on."

He said the Government is adopting a strict and narrow interpretation of ‘primary care needs’, but added that interpretation does not reflect the full reality of what SNAs actually do in schools. 

SNAs provide far more than basic care, they support children’s safety, inclusion, emotional wellbeing and ability to access education.

With that in mind Deputy Cullinane said that to reduce their role to "a tick-box exercise" is both unfair and short-sighted.

“There are ongoing discussions nationally about expanding and recognising the role of SNAs," he said.

"If the Government acknowledges that their role is evolving and vital, then that must be reflected in allocation decisions now, not at some vague point in the future," he added.

With regard to the Deise county he said: "In Waterford we have worked hard to build inclusive school communities. Cutting SNA supports undermines that progress and sends the wrong message to children and families who already feel they must fight for every service.

“I am calling on the Minister to halt any further reductions in SNA provision, to review the criteria being applied, and to guarantee that no child in Waterford with additional needs will lose access to the support they depend on this September.”