Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, it is not true. They are being put in place to clarify the role of the SNA and to ensure that this nation's scarce resources are directed towards those who need them most. The Government approved an extra 390 SNA posts last December up to the end of this year, which means that almost 11,000 SNAs are now available to work. That is the largest number of SNAs we have had since the foundation of the SNA support system. It is not about saving money; it is about ensuring that those children who need SNA support can have access to it.

It is important to point out also that professionals - teachers - have significant skills, and they acquire those skills in their training in behaviour management within the classroom setting. Those behaviour management skills apply to all children, and they have the capacity to determine the way and on what basis they are applied.

Despite the tough economic circumstances we faced, we protected - and in some cases regarding SNA provision, increased - the budget devoted to supporting our children. This is not about saving money. It is a reflection of our Government's priorities to protect and cherish our children who have special educational needs. The circular does not seek to remove or reduce SNA support to those children who are very much in need of it.

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