DONEGAL Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, says the decision by government not to make reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year is welcome and the right decision.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan confirmed on Monday night that there will be no reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year.
After a meeting with government leaders, it was agreed all schools reviewed by the NCSE and allocated additional resources will receive them in the upcoming school year.
No reductions will come into effect in the 202627 school year.
“There was a lot of confusion and uncertainty among school staff and parents in relation to the impact of a recent review which was understandable,” Minister McConalogue said.
“But Monday night’s announcement by Ministers Naughton and Moynihan will remove that confusion and allow schools to plan with certainty and clarity.”
Government has agreed that the SNA redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce development plan and changes to a 2014 circular outlining the role of a SNA will be advanced before any further decisions are taken.
The priority will be ensuring that the child-centred approach to the provision of special education is retained and enhanced in these policy developments.
After these key documents are agreed and published, the NCSE can commence reviews of supports provided to schools for the 202728 academic year which will uphold the integrity of the process, which allocates supports based on the needs of children.
“I know that this was an issue of immense concern and stress for schools and many families, so I very much welcome the decision not to make reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year,” Minister of State McConalogue concluded.
