BREAKING NEWS: 23,000 people have signed petition for Special Needs Assistants

Nearly 23,000 people have rallied behind a Change.org petition, calling for Special Needs Assistants to remain a vital part of mainstream classrooms throughout Ireland.

Backed by local councillor John O’Heney, the petition urges the Department of Education to rethink and overturn plans to cut SNA positions. It argues that keeping or boosting SNA support will give every student the chance to thrive in a truly inclusive classroom.

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County Councillor O’Heney has spoken out after reports revealed that, following a review by the National Council for Special Education, schools have been told that crucial support for children with additional needs could be scaled back or removed entirely before 2026. The Independent councillor insists that SNAs are essential to ensure vulnerable children have equal opportunities to learn. Drawing on his experience as a former primary school teacher, O’Heney adds that expanding special classes and increasing school places should never come at the cost of SNA jobs.