SNAs need “urgent clarity” on department plans, Soc Dems say

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to provide “urgent clarity” to schools, families and staff on their plans for special needs assistants.

The Department of Education has failed to provide a clear timeline on their SNA workforce development plan, and Cummins said that the ongoing radio silence from the Department is only adding to the ongoing uncertainty.

The Soc Dems’ education spokesperson said “schools, parents and SNAs themselves cannot continue to operate in a vacuum.”

The Dublin South Central TD was informed that the plans would be completed by June, but with no firm commitment or confirmed date.

She said the government’s response “simply isn’t good enough for a workforce and a group of children who rely so heavily on these supports.”

“The lack of certainty is making it difficult for schools to plan for the next academic year and is causing anxiety among families who depend on SNA supports,” she said.

“We are now only months away from planning for the next school year and yet we still do not know what the future model for SNAs will look like. The Department must be clearer about when this workforce plan will be completed and implemented.

Cummins said she has “serious concerns” about how the Department designates children with mild general learning disabilities, and warned that the Department’s proposals to broaden their designation risk could “undermine” the specialised support that those particular students require.

“Schools that are specifically designed to support children with mild general learning disabilities are deeply concerned that they are being pushed toward a redesignation that would effectively turn them into catch-all settings for a wide range of needs,” she noted.

“Such an approach is not good enough for children with mild general learning disabilities; these schools were developed to provide tailored supports, expertise and learning environments that meet the specific needs of those students. Diluting that focus risks leaving those children without the targeted support they deserve.”

Cummins stressed, “the voices of parents, educators and school leaders must be listened to before any changes are considered.”

The Southside TD said, “we need to see a broader shift in how Ireland talks about education supports, with the language used reflecting a more inclusive approach. We should move away from the term ‘special education’ and toward language that reflects inclusion and belonging within our education system.”