A request has been made for the Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan to clarify why a number of schools in Co Tipperary have seen a reduction in the numbers of Special Needs Assistants allocated to them.
The request was made by Deputy Mattie McGrath, who says that he has been informed that it is a concern in both the north and the south of the county.
He says that one school in Clonmel has seen a reduction from 10 SNAs a decade ago to just 2. This reduction, he notes, is despite there being an increased need for their services.
Another school, he says, has just 2 full-time and one part-time SNA staff, despite the number being between 4 and 6 in 2011.
He added that in both cases, there is likelihood those numbers could be cut further.
He has asked for the minister to explain why these cuts have happened, even though a commitment was given to ensuring every child with an assessed care need will receive access to SNA support in the 2015/2016 school year.
