Laois School to lose two SNAs following review

The Principal of a Laois school has expressed deep concern as his school was informed it will lose two vital SNA posts. 

Rath National School Principal Tommy Fitzgerald said the cut is due to take effect at the end of the 2025/26 academic year.  The Ballybrittas school is set to lose the posts following a review by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). 

“While the school engaged fully and in good faith with the review process, I have serious concerns that the outcome does not accurately reflect the level and complexity of the current and emerging care needs of pupils in our school,” he said in a letter sent to local representatives. 

“The existing SNA allocation is fully and effectively deployed to support pupils with significant and documented care needs. These supports are essential to ensuring pupil safety, inclusion, and meaningful access to education. Any reduction will have a direct and negative impact on our capacity to meet these needs and to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for both pupils and staff. 

The guidance provided to schools to "review and reprioritise" SNA deployment does not reflect the operational reality in Rath N.S. There is no surplus capacity within the current allocation, and further reductions will inevitably lead to difficult decisions that risk disadvantaging pupils with the highest levels of need,” Mr Fitzgerald said. 

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Furthermore, he said, “we are particularly concerned and upset by the fact that we were unable to account for the incoming Junior Infant Class of 2026. This is despite the fact that, on foot of a request from the NCSE to commence the enrolment process earlier in the year, we had all necessary documentation, reports and information on the level of care needs we are expected to cater for. These needs include three pupils in our mainstream Junior Infant classroom with a recommendation for placement in a special class for children with autism attached to a mainstream school. Their reports clearly indicate the level and complexity of care needs. We had to include the care needs of our outgoing 6th Class pupils, but were prohibited from including the care needs of our incoming Junior Infants, despite the fact that the decision comes into effect from the start of the 2026/2027 school year.” 

He called on local elected representatives to contact the Minister for Education and NCSE to call for a reconsideration of the decision. 

“As Principal, I have a statutory duty of care to all pupils in the school. I am deeply concerned that the proposed reduction in SNA support will prevent the school's ability to fulfil this duty,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said he had received a number of emails from parents with children at the school.  

He was “astonished” that the Government would consider cutting the number of the SNAs when their duty should be “to protect children with special needs”. He has contacted officials in the NCSE asking them to reconsider the move.