HUNDREDS of children will lose the support of special needs assistants (SNAs) on February 1 even though two-thirds of schools have yet to have their allocation of these staff assessed under a delayed review.

ALMOST 1,200 special needs assistants could lose their jobs in the next school year, based on preliminary figures from a review of 10,500 existing posts.

THE likelihood of special needs assistants (SNAs) being withdrawn from thousands of children in schools will be strengthened by a recommendation from An Bord Snip Nua to cut their numbers by almost a fifth.

ACCESS to education must not be restricted to the better-off during the recession, a leading trade unionist stressed yesterday.

CONCERNS have been expressed about the absence of an appeal system for parents or schools when children have the services of a special needs assistant (SNA) withdrawn or reduced.

IMPACT has claimed that the Government's stealth taxes will eventually erode incomes.