‘I’ve listened’: Education Minister confirms no SNA reductions from SeptemberBy Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press AssociationThere will be no cuts to special needs assistants (SNAs) across schools in Ireland for the coming academic year, Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton said. It came after the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) told several schools they could lose part of their SNA allocation. “I’ve listened, and that’s why it is important to put a hold on this process, to listen to the concerns. "Did the government want to encourage children who require SNAs to continue in mainstream education or to go to specialised education?" SNAs had no confidence in the Council for Special Education, and it appeared that the government did not have confidence in the Council either.

Source: Irish Independent February 24, 2026 11:23 UTC