Two Kerry schools have been told they’re to lose SNAs from next September following a review by the National Council for Special Education.
Fossa National School, which has 236 pupils, is to lose four special needs assistants; it currently has 10.
Glenflesk National School, which has two teachers, is to lose one of its two SNAs.
Both schools are to appeal.
The Department of Education says the number of SNAs in Kerry has increased from 616 in the 2020/21 school year to 861 this year, an increase of 40%.
The department says the review by the National Council for Special Education is to ensure that SNAs are allocated to schools to support students who have the greatest level of significant care needs.
It says where the NCSE review identifies a significant decrease in the level of care needs in a school, then this results in a reduction in the SNA allocation.
The department says there’s an appeals process if a school is unhappy with a decision.
Jackie Coffey is a special needs assistant at Fossa National School and is to be deployed to another school from September.
She says SNAs benefit all children, in particular, those who may not be formally identified as having additional needs but need the support of an SNA.
