Only a dozen SNAs allocated despite 475 posts held back

JUST over a dozen extra special needs assistants (SNAs) have been allocated to pupils who need care in the classroom despite the withholding of hundreds of posts by the Department of Education.

As part of a limit on SNA numbers to 10,575 by the department, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) reviewed provision of these staff to all schools with hundreds complaining that children have lost their SNA or have had the level of access cut since last year.

The department also ordered that 475 posts be held back before the start of the school year to allow for late or emergency applications for SNA support.