Special Needs Assistants: Statements
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-04
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Laura Harmon (LAB), Industrial and Commercial Panel

Just two weeks ago, the Minister sat in this Chamber for the Second Stage debate on a Bill I tabled that would ensure adequate leave for SNAs and teachers in our schools who are injured in the classroom. That Bill absolutely needs to be progressed to Committee Stage. I look forward to communicating with the Government on that.
The past number of weeks have been very turbulent and worrying for so many school communities across the country. SNAs, school staff, parents and, most vitally, children have been disrespected by Government parties in that time with regard to the way that they have been communicated with in terms of the yo-yoing on correspondence.
The pausing of plans to reduce the number of SNAs in our schools is simply not enough. That is not an explanation for parents and staff who do not know if these positions are going to exist a year from now. It was interesting that the Government was able to find the €19 million overnight. It is right that it should be there, but we should never allow funding to stand in the way of supporting our SNAs and ensuring that children get the supports they need in our classrooms.
The SNA circular is long outdated. Policy set out in 2014 is not reflective of the lived experiences in our schools in 2026. I was contacted by a number of teachers and SNAs in recent days. I will highlight two schools that contacted me. Stapolin Educate Together National School has been desperately trying to open two more autism classes to create 12 places in order to meet the needs of the school. The school says that there is a waiting list of over 60 in terms of mainstream classes. The Department and the NCSE are aware of this need, but the school is pleading for money to be allocated to allow these classes to be set up.
I have also been in communication with Scoil Bhríde in Crosshaven in Cork, which has been trying to open a special class. While the school sees the neighbouring school opening its second class, it is still waiting on its first. The project is stuck at stage 2b. In the email to me, the school asked whether it is to be or not to be. It needs an answer in relation to that. It expressed its concern about children going on to second level being able to access special classes when they have spent eight years in primary school without any access to special classes at such a fundamental time in their development. That needs to be addressed.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-04/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:43+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-04