Labour’s Education Spokesperson, Eoghan Kenny TD, has called on the Minister for Education to halt the new Special Needs Assistant (SNA) guidelines set out by the NCSE for the 2025/26 school year.
Deputy Kenny raised concerns over the narrowed criteria and the restrictive definition of complex needs, noting that the changes were issued with just six weeks for consultation. He warned that these rushed guidelines risk failing children with additional needs while placing extra pressure on parents, teachers, and school principals.
“This rushed process shows disregard for families and schools,” Deputy Kenny said. “We need proper consultation, fair criteria, training for staff, and a robust appeals process, not cuts and confusion.”
He stressed that children with special educational needs deserve certainty, not chaos, and that every child has the right to an education in their own community. Deputy Kenny also highlighted ongoing issues with the school transport system, pointing out that every summer parents are left scrambling to secure seats on buses, a problem that continues to create stress and uncertainty for families.
“Education should never be a lottery,” he said. “Every child deserves a place in class, and a seat on the bus. The Minister must rethink these flawed plans now.”
