Brian Stanley: Warns SNA Cuts Threaten Vulnerable Pupils
Brian Stanley raised concerns about a review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations and warned it could lead to cuts affecting vulnerable pupils. He said two-thirds of schools would not be affected but one-third would, and named Rat National School and Timahoe National School in Niche as having been notified of reductions.
Concern over SNA review and cuts
Stanley described the review as cuts and acknowledged that reviews are necessary but warned that Circular 3225 will result in some of the most vulnerable children losing their support. He said a pause in implementation is welcome but urged further action beyond that pause.
Schools notified of reductions
He identified Rat National School and Timahoe National School in Niche as schools already notified of cuts. He argued that no account is being taken of children who will be enrolled in September and their special needs when decisions are made.
Classroom impact and teacher capacity
Stanley quoted the circular's guidance that behaviour should be supported holistically with a whole-school and whole-class approach and that individual needs should be supported by the class teacher. He warned this is impractical when a teacher cannot leave a classroom of 23 or 24 pupils to support an individual child and said he had witnessed such situations in a school.
Request to review guidelines
He asked for the guidelines to be reviewed in consultation with the Taoiseach, calling for revisions to ensure pupils with special needs continue to receive necessary support and that classroom safety and supervision are maintained.
Government response and workforce planning
The Taoiseach replied that a workforce plan is underway within the department and the NCSC in respect of special needs assistance. Consultations are taking place and the workforce planning will involve a review of the guidelines, noting there is an existing circular from 2014.
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I'll ask you about the review, some describe it as cuts, the S and A's, and, you know, I understand reviews have to happen, I understand that two-thirds of schools won't be affected, but one-third will be, and Rat National School and Timahoe National School in Niche have been notified of cuts. No account is being taken of the children who are being enrolled for September and their needs, and their special needs. Circular 3225 will mean some of the most vulnerable children losing their support. Now, this support is essential. The pause is welcome, but you need to go further than that because the guidelines that come with the circular says that, and I just quote one line in it, the behaviour should be supported holistically with a whole school and a whole class approach, and individual needs supported by the class teacher. The problem is when a situation arises, and I've been in a school where I saw this happening, the teacher cannot leave the classroom and go out and leave the other 23 or 24 pupils on their own. And what I'm asking you to do is to have these guidelines reviewed along with you. Taoiseach, to respond. Yeah, well, there's a workforce plan underway within the department and the NCSC, in respect of special needs assistance, consultations are taking place, and that would involve a review. The guidelines, there's a circular from 2014. As I said, the workforce planning involves all of that that you just discussed. Thank you.
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