The business of ­government increasingly seems to ­consist of spending ever greater amounts of money, while ­being denounced by ­opponents for not spending anywhere near enough. This is the name given to support staff whose role is to assist pupils with additional care ­requirements, including autism and dyslexia. Their number, according to the Taoiseach, has increased by 45pc since 2020, at a significant cost to taxpayers. Without that money continuing to flow into Department of Finance coffers, there might be no money for SNAs at all. SNAs, and the children who rely on them, should not be sacrificed on the altar of fiscal prudence.

Source: Irish Independent February 22, 2026 07:02 UTC