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A REVIEW INTO the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) should be completed within a month, the Tánaiste has said, after a minister said there was “no point” in setting a target date.
Simon Harris said initial communication about it, in which almost 200 schools were told they could lose SNAs, was “botched”.
“It is a really bad situation that caused a lot of upset, a lot of anger, a lot of hurt from parents of children with special educational needs, from children themselves, from SNAS and from teachers,” Harris said yesterday.
The Department of Education “paused” a review of SNA allocations after a public backlash and outcry from opposition TDs, teachers, parents and trade unions.
It came after the National Council for Special Education told several schools they could lose part of their SNA allocation.
Yesterday, Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan was criticised by Sinn Féin for adding to the uncertainty after he claimed there was “no point” in announcing a target completion for the review after the pause.
Moynihan also repeatedly refused to say if he expected any schools to lose SNAs.
Asked about Moynihan’s comments on a timeline, Harris said it was not up to him but it was his view the review should be done within a month.
“It can only take a matter of weeks, and that’s just being honest, because we have to be able to provide clarity for the schools, and, most importantly, clarity for the children and their parents, and they need to have that clarity well in advance of September,” the Fine Gael leader said.
But Moynihan’s comments were described as “disgraceful” by Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty.
Doherty accused Moynihan of plunging families into panic and said: “Children with additional needs and their families are entitled to certainty, stability and respect.
Parents and SNAs deserve a straight answer: Will any school lose SNA posts in September – yes or no?
Asked if any school would lose an SNA in September, Moynihan said declined to answer and simply said the “process is now paused”.
He said the Department would ensure there is “no cliff edge”.
Pressed on whether that means the notified schools would not lose SNAs, Moynihan reiterated that the process had been paused.
After initially saying the process would be done in “a number of weeks” and “as soon as possible”, Moynihan declined to give a specific date.
He also repeatedly refused to say if any schools would lose SNAs or how many positions would be redeployed.
He said: “We have paused the entire process so therefore until that process is completely reviewed we will not be scaremongering, we will engage meticulously with all school communities and families that have contacted us.”
When even the radio presenter Gaving Jennings throws his hands in the air with confusion.
— Mick Caul (@caulmick) February 20, 2026
A Car crash interview on the SNA Fiasco with Minister of State for Education Michael Moynihan this morning.
I can be very clear "we've paused the process" he says.🫣#MorningIreland… pic.twitter.com/0y0WT5uqHf
However, Moynihan said schools who had been told they would get an additional allocation would still receive that support.
“We’re increasing the number of SNAs.”
Doherty said the Government should “confirm unequivocally that no school will lose SNA support as a result of this flawed process.”
“Our children deserve better than a Government that is making policy on the hoof. They deserve certainty that they will have the supports they need to thrive,” the Donegal TD said.
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