Schools have warned that a “flabbergasting” move to cut back on special needs assistants (SNAs) in mainstream schools will set the education system back 30 years. This is despite the overall number of SNA posts in the school system, including special classes and special schools, set to increase from September 2026. The town is expected to lose at least 10 SNA posts from its primary schools in September. On Monday, education minister Hildegarde Naughton and special education minister Michael Moynihan both encouraged schools to engage in the NCSE appeals process. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the NCSE will undertake approximately 1,000 SNA reviews in schools this school year.

Source: Irish Examiner February 17, 2026 10:08 UTC