Education minister Hildegarde Naughton has pulled out of her St Patrick’s Day trip to South America as the special needs assistant (SNA) controversy continues. Ms Naughton was expected to travel to Chile and Argentina as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme of events. “Significant consultation is required to advance a number of important policy measures, including the SNA workforce plan and redeployment circular. The planned St Patrick’s Day visit to Chile and Argentina will go ahead with junior justice minister Niall Collins travelling in her place, the spokesperson said. The Government rejected that it was "kicking the can down the road" and would be facing a similar situation next year.

Source: Irish Examiner March 03, 2026 17:25 UTC