Protests over a plan to reduce SNA numbers in mainstream schools will take place across the country this week. Waterford Ministers for State, TD John Cummins, and TD Mary Butler, will have demonstrations outside their constituency offices.
Sinn Féin TDs for Waterford, TD David Cullinane and TD Conor McGuinness have encouraged the public to attend these protests and demand that no reductions be made to SNA numbers in schools across the Country.
Last week mainstream schools received letters advising them that their SNA allocations had been reduced for the coming school year. This provoked intense resistance and government announced on Tuesday February 17 that these reviews would be paused.
SNA’s were originally provided for in 2014 under narrow criteria for children with specific special needs. With the numbers of children who qualify as having special needs increasing greatly, and schools managing unprecedented cultural and social difficulties, reliance on SNAs has grown and many parents view SNA’s as an essential part of the children’s school experience.
It has been suggested that these changes in mainstream SNA allocation are an attempt to redirect SNAs towards new special classes. The government website explains that there were 399 new special classes opened in the 2025/26 school year alone, with reports suggesting a growing demand for autism services.
Speaking on the protests, TD David Cullinane, issued the following statement, “Families in Waterford are furious with these SNA cuts. The last thing families need is cuts that will hit children and undermine the supports that families rely on. People are rightly angry and they want to see government priorities change. This Friday, Waterford will send a clear message, stop the cuts and support our kids.
“We are asking people to join us, bring family and friends and spread the word. A strong turnout in Waterford City and Dungarvan will show that our communities won’t accept further cuts to children’s services.”
His Sinn Féin colleague TD Conor McGuiness added his perspective on the protests “These protests are about standing up for children and for the services our communities depend on. Whether it’s childcare, disability supports, education or basic community services, families are being asked to do more with less. We are urging everyone to come out on Friday and make their voice heard because these cuts are a political choice and they can be reversed.”
‘Unfortunate but not surprising’
Both of Waterford’s ministers have hit back at plans to protest their constituency offices, with a spokesperson for Minister John Cummins saying that Sinn Féin are promoting misinformation about SNA provision, while Minister Mary Butler has pointed out that there have been no SNA cuts at present and asks that local politicians leading these protests be clear and honest in relation to this fact.
A spokesperson for Minister Cummins said: “It is unfortunate but not surprising that Sinn Fein have sought to promote misinformation about SNA provision across Waterford and exploit what is a highly emotive issue. Put simply, there are no cuts to SNA provision in Waterford. Indeed the number of SNA posts across Waterford schools has increased by 58% since the 2020/21 school year (354 to 560) and the number of special education teacher posts have increased by 30% (374 to 487). Nationally the number of SNA’s in schools has increased by 45% since 2020 and an additional 1,700 SNAs will support children in the next academic year 2026/27.
“As a teacher for twelve years, Minister Cummins worked alongside SNA’s every single day and has seen first hand the very best examples of special educational needs being met in the mainstream setting. It is why he is so passionate about ensuring special education classes are expanded across Waterford. In the last 2 academic years alone 28 additional special classes have been sanctioned across Waterford.
“Every day SNA’s bring compassion, skill and dedication into classrooms across the country. The government is fully committed to supporting them and children with special educational needs to meet their full potential.
“As has clearly been set out by the Government, it has paused a review of the allocation of where SNA’s will be placed. Engagement is ongoing with all stakeholders to take on board the concerns raised by school communities. The overriding principle here must be ensuring those pupils with special educational needs are fully supported in their school setting.”
25,000 SNAs in 2026
In relation to the protests, Minister Butler provided The Munster Express with the following comment:
“Firstly, it is important to state that the review of SNA allocations was undertaken to ensure that SNAs are with the children who most need their care. The Government announced a pause to the review process following concerns raised by parents and schools. As a result, all review changes, including those who have already received letters regarding any reductions, have been paused. I want to reiterate that there are no cuts to SNA numbers at present. It is important that politicians leading protests locally are clear and honest in their messaging in this respect.
“The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Education are engaging intensively to ensure that all the concerns raised are carefully considered and children with special educational needs are fully supported. No further letters on SNA review outcomes will issue while these engagements are underway. We have listened carefully to concerns raised by parents and school communities.
“I would also like to point out that for the next school year, we will be at 25,000 SNAs. That will be about 45% of an increase over five years. Any review conducted is about making sure that each school has the right level of SNAs for its needs.”
The protests are due to take place at 4pm in Waterford City on Wednesday 25th at John Cummins Constituency Office, 31 Parnell St, Waterford, X91 KD7X, and 4pm in Dungarvan on Friday February 27th at Mary Butler’s Constituency Office at 73 O’Connell St, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, X35 WR58.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
