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Government Reverses SNA Cuts After Backlash

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 09:54

Ministers and party leaders met last night to agree new funding.

Government is calling a halt to cuts to Special Needs Assistants for the next school year after widespread criticism from parents, teachers and the opposition.

Ministers and party leaders met last night to agree an additional 19 million euro in funding for SNAs in the coming school year, but confirmed that a review of posts will be carried out for the following year.

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton says she is not happy with how schools were told they would be losing SNAs next year:

Labour's Education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny says there are still a lot of questions to answer.

Longford Westmeath TD for Fine Gael Micheal Carrigy say a breakdown in communication between politicians and civil servants created problems:

Protests are still expected to proceed, including at Leinster House, with one being planned by local SNAs in Edenderry Town Hall tomorrow at 5pm.

Evelyn Lynch is an SNA at Oaklands Community College in the town and says the Government is just kicking the can down the road and SNAs don't have security in their jobs:

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