Murray praises "unsung heroes" ahead of SNA public protest in Edenderry

Edenderry Councillor Claire Murray has praised the "invaluable work" of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in mainstream schools ahead of a public protest in the town this evening (Wednesday) at 5pm.

The protest was organised in response to a Government decision to propose cuts to SNA supports in mainstream classrooms at both local and national levels.

However, the Government has subsequently said there would be no reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year, and any school that has been allocated additional resources will receive them.

This announcement follows a decision by the Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland Hildegarde Naughton to pause the review and reallocation of SNAs for the coming school year after it caused concern and outrage among parents, teachers and SNAs.

Cllr Murray said the scale of public response "had clearly made an impact" with the Government, but warned that "a pause is not the same as a reversal".

“SNAs are the unsung heroes in our schools. Their work is invaluable, and it must be respected.

"A pause does not remove the uncertainty facing families and schools. Removing SNA supports from children whose needs have not changed is wrong, and those proposals must be withdrawn completely," Cllr Murray said.

The Cllr said that over 1,000 parents, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), teachers and people with disabilities attended an online public meeting hosted by Sinn Féin this week to discuss the Government’s proposed cuts to SNA supports.

"It was deeply emotional, with parents and teachers sharing personal stories about the reality facing their families. Parents spoke about years spent fighting for diagnoses, fighting for appropriate school places and fighting for support — only to now be told they must fight all over again. The word used repeatedly throughout the meeting was 'cruel'," Cllr Murray added.

Referencing the public protest at Edenderry Town Hall this evening, Cllr Murray said "communities have shown the power of collective action, now we must ensure that this pause becomes a full reversal".

"Our children deserve certainty, dignity and proper support," she concluded.