Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsThe Government is under pressure to clarify future special needs assistant (SNA) allocations as it insists there will be no “cliff edge” for schools facing cuts. However, the Opposition is demanding the Coalition outline the next steps after it paused a review of SNA allocations that saw almost 200 schools notified some of their assistant roles would be reduced. “For those schools who have received review outcomes, whether increase or decrease, the process is paused, and we will engage with these schools following further consideration. Schools who have lodged appeals should continue to engage with that process.”Moynihan said that schools which had been told their allocation would go up would see that reflected in next year’s SNA allocations. Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsSocial Democrats leader Holly Cairns said following the “pause” in the review schools “have no idea if those cuts are still happening.

Source: The Irish Times February 19, 2026 01:05 UTC