A school principal says the state body which examines the allocation of SNAs should take into consideration the number of pupils who are refugees and asylum seekers in Kerry.
At least two Kerry schools have been told they’re to lose SNAs from September following a review by the National Council for Special Education.
The Department of Education says the review is to ensure that SNAs are allocated to schools to support students who have the greatest level of care need.
Glenflesk National School, which is a two-teacher school, is to lose one of its two special needs ssistants.
Principal Paul Favier says the NCSE should take into account the situation in Kerry.
The Department of Education says SNAs in Kerry are not being cut and that the number of special needs assistants in the county has increased by 40% in the past five years.
Principal of Glenflesk National School Paul Favier says the criteria by which SNAs are allocated are 12 years old and need to be updated.
