300 SNAs cut but no independent appeals process in place

UP TO 300 special needs assistants (SNAs) have been cut in schools at a time when there is no independent appeals process, an Oireachtas committee was told yesterday.

Just over a year ago, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe asked the National Council for Special Education to undertake a national review of the allocation of special needs assistants.

Post-primary and special schools were included in the review, which will conclude at the end of the month.

Chief executive of the National Council for Special Education, Pat Curtin, told the Joint Committee on Education and Science that an independent appeal advisory committee would be established in October.

Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes said it was a “huge mistake” not to have had an independent appeals process in place before the review was undertaken.

Fine Gael’s spokesman on disability, David Stanton, said a Special Education Appeals Board was established three years ago to hear appeals from parents and schools unhappy with decisions made.

Mr Stanton said the remaining sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 had not been implemented by the minister to allow the board to function.

“Despite having three staff and having received €330,000 in funding over the last three years, the appeals board has not heard a single appeal. Where has all this money been spent?” he asked.

Schools may apply for special needs assistant support for a pupil with a disability who also has significant medical needs, physical or sensory impairment or where their behaviour is considered to be a danger to themselves or other pupils.

The council established an internal appeal system on February 25 last where applications are sent to a senior educational needs officer within the NCSE.

Mr Curtin said up to 30 schools had made appeals and more had asked for the application form.

A number of principals of special schools who also appeared before the committee complained that the review was seriously flawed and the cuts shameful and unwarranted.

Inclusion Ireland said it was a frightening time for children and families who did not know what was round the corner.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames (FG) said she had figures to show that up to 300 special needs assistants had been cut in recent months.