'Flabbergasting' move to cut SNAs in schools 'will set education back 30 years'

On Monday, education minister Hildegarde Naughton encouraged schools to engage in the NCSE appeals process. File picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall

Schools have warned that a “flabbergasting” move to cut back on special needs assistants (SNAs) in mainstream schools will set the education system back 30 years.

It comes as the first schools across the country have learned of plans to reduce their individual number of SNA posts following reviews by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).