Education minister asked to explain cuts to special needs supports in mainstream schools

An online petition, started to highlight the 'alarming cull' of SNAs in mainstream classes, has so far garnered more than 14,000 signatures. File picture

The minister for education Hildegarde Naughton  will be asked to explain planned sweeping reductions to special education resources amid claims of a worsening crisis in the sector.

Trade union Fórsa has raised concerns after dozens of mainstream schools were told last week of a reduction in their allocations of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) from next September.