'Devastating' blow for Kildare schools as SNA posts cut

SCHOOLS across Kildare are extremely concerned after they were informed of cuts to their Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) posts for the 2026/27 year.

Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge announced it was to have its number of SNAs reduced by over 40%.

The school received notification from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) regarding a reduction from 6.75 to 4 posts in SNA allocations for the 2026/27 term.

In a statement, Patrician Secondary School’s Board of Management (BOM) wrote: 'Our school community is shocked and devastated with this decision and its implication for our school community. We think this is a retrograde step in supporting the care needs of our students.' 

The school’s BOM explained that when school numbers were at 800 students, 6.75 SNA posts were assigned, yet now with a student population of 930 the posts have been reduced to just 4.

The school has started an appeal process against the cuts through the NCSE Appeals Mechanism in an effort to save their school’s SNA posts.

It continued: 'The role of the SNA within the Patrician Secondary School is so important in terms of inclusivity and fostering an environment where all students can reach their positive potential. As the school numbers have risen so too has the level of care needs and management of those needs. This reduction of posts causes us particular concern in this regard.

'Our priority is, and always will be, the welfare and care needs of our students. We are currently reviewing the negative impact of this allocation and are following all avenues of the NCSE Appeals Mechanism.

'We are asking all in our local community for your continued support so that we can maintain the level of care we believe our students are entitled to and deserve.' 

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth, responsible for special education, Michael Moynihan, stated that by the end of the 2026/27 school year the number of SNAs in the country will be close to 25,000. This number is up from allocations in Budget 2025, which brought the total number of SNAs to 23,000.

However, many local schools will still see reductions in SNA posts.

Kildare South Labour TD, Mark Wall raised the issue in the Dáil saying that while the additional 1,717 SNA places announced in the budget are welcome, some local schools are facing reductions that will have a “devastating impact” on their communities.

Deputy Wall said Scoil Mhichil Naofa in Athy was informed late last week that it will lose five SNA posts along Patrician Secondary School.

He said SNAs play a vital role in the day-to-day running of schools by supporting both teachers and students and helping to create a positive environment for families.

“We all know the great work SNAs do day in, day out assisting teachers, assisting students and creating a school environment for parents and students alike,” he said.

Deputy Wall also highlighted uncertainty for current staff, saying some SNAs will not know until next September whether they will retain their positions and are already being called into meetings with school principals.

He said: “Will the Government intervene in these losses? We need SNAs in our schools. SNAs with posts will not know until next September whether or not they will still have a post and are getting calls to go into principals' offices. It is devastating for them all.” 

Responding in the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he did not have details on the individual schools mentioned but stressed that SNA numbers have risen sharply in recent years.

“The numbers of SNAs have increased exponentially,” he said. “The budget for special education has increased significantly and somewhat dramatically over the past three years and continues to increase.” 

The Taoiseach said the overall context is one of expansion rather than cutbacks and that SNA allocations are made based on assessed needs.

“We are expanding the budget and we do have to allocate SNAs to children in line with best advice on our side,” he said. He added that he would refer the specific cases raised by Deputy Wall to the Minister for Education and Youth.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD has also shown his support to local schools: “Many of the affected schools, such as Patrician Secondary School Newbridge and Halverstown NS, have the option of appealing the current review, and I continue to assist schools and principals alike in this process, in conjunction with the Department of Education.” 

He further promised to raise the issue with Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, and the Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan.