The Department of Education’s move to review the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools could pave the way for more education cuts effecting thousands of vulnerable children, trade union Impact warned today.
The union, which represents over 3,000 SNAs, believes the Department is using the review as a cover to impose more education cuts.
“Our major concern now is that the Department is using this review as an excuse to make cuts in the provision of the SNA service,” Impact national secretary Peter Nolan said today.
“That means vulnerable children are further disadvantaged, and the potential for job losses in an area that has been one of the most progressive in education in the last decade,” he said.
A circular, issued to schools by the Department yesterday, said it had asked the National Council for Special Education to review special needs assistant allocations in all schools “with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met”.
The move comes after last month’s controversial decision to cut special needs classes for children with mild learning difficulties.
Labour Party equality spokeswoman Kathleen Lynch said it would appear that Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe is attempting to soften us up for another round of cuts which will impact on children with special needs.
Ms Lynch said: “Any reduction in the SNA numbers will mean that not only will these children themselves suffer, but so too will their classmates, as a further burden will be placed on the classroom teachers who are already under huge pressure.”
“Teachers cannot be expected to have all the skills required to provide for a child with special needs and they need whatever support they can get,” she said.
There are currently over 10,000 SNAs in schools.
They support pupils, within the mainstream classroom, with difficulties who have a significant medical need for such assistance.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said last night the Minister must look at the special needs of children as an educational issue rather than a financial one. It said “there can be no question of withdrawing essential supports to children and leaving schools to cope as best they can”.
A ministerial spokesman insisted the criteria for the allocation of SNAs is not being changed. “If a pupil qualifies for support, SNAs will continue to be provided.”
Impact today urged its members to back industrial action in a ballot currently underway, to give it a mandate to resist similar cuts in health, local government and education.
