Logan calls for change in law over SNA crisis

CHILDREN’S Ombudsman Emily Logan wants the law changed to allow her office investigate complaints from parents about the body which allocates school supports for children with severe disabilities or learning difficulties.

Dozens of families, it emerged, had sought her help in wishing to complain about the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) because of the withdrawal of, or reduced access to, such staff in hundreds of schools as a result of a Government staffing limit. But the Ombudsman had to tell them she cannot investigate, because the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is outside her remit.

Hundreds of children, parents and teachers protested outside Leinster House last week calling for the lifting of a limit of 10,575 SNAs meeting the care needs of around 13,000 children in primary and second level schools.