Disability groups call for Dempsey to quit over SNAs

DISABILITY groups have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Noel Dempsey over his plan to reallocate special needs assistants.

The Irish Progressive Association for Autism (IPAA) said Mr Dempey’s audit of special needs assistants (SNAs) in schools, which could lead to a reduction of up to 30% in numbers, was a “joke”.

“It’s only an exercise to cut posts. Minister Dempsey has lost control of his brief. People have lost confidence and it’s time for him to go,” said the group’s chairman, Kieran Kennedy.