Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While the U-turn announced yesterday by the Minister for Education and Skills is welcome, the case remains that children across the country face serious cuts to SNA supports from September. The Minister was at pains to stress last night that there have been no cuts and no child who requires access to SNA support will be deprived of it. The word “access” was carefully chosen. If three children share a SNA, it is technically correct to say they all have access but this does not mean these children’s needs are being fully catered for. Resources should be allocated to children on the basis of need. Giving a child access to a SNA is not the same as giving that child all the support he or she needs to achieve their full potential.

When we discussed this issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, last week, I raised the case of Scoil Mhuire in Wexford which has just lost 2.5 SNAs although two new children with special needs are due to start there in September. Several weeks ago before the cuts were announced, a child who shares a SNA managed to get out of the SNA's care and left the school on his own, crossing main roads. His parents do not blame the school or staff but feel the lack of resources is what created this dangerous situation. Now the school has lost 2.5 SNAs, the chances of a similar incident occurring have seriously increased. Both parents and staff are really concerned.

Parents have told me that each class in the ASD, autistic spectrum disorder, unit in Scoil Mhuire has a weekly social outing which allows for the children to experience and learn of the world with their SNA support. Some of the children also attend social outings with mainstream classes but again require a SNA to accompany them to keep them safe. Further cuts to SNAs will mean these social outings will no longer be possible and the children will be effectively segregated within the confines of the unit.

Earlier I met three teachers at the gates outside who had worked for 11 years at Hartstown who have just lost their jobs. These cuts are costing jobs too which does not make sense.

See this speech in context