I want to raise a very serious issue regarding special needs assistants, SNAs, and the reality unfolding in our schools across the country. The new opening of special classes is needed and is very welcome. Families have fought long and hard for appropriate school places and additional provisions. What is currently happening, however, is deeply concerning. While Government Members pat themselves on the back for announcing new special classes, mainstream classrooms are being quietly stripped away. In my constituency, Cork North-West, there are now three schools and counting - Bweeng, Ballyhass and Kilmurry. I spoke to the principal this morning, and she told me something really concerning. They are almost wary of appealing the decision. When they gathered their documentation for the review, they were warned that if they appealed, they could risk losing more SNAs and were told, essentially, to make do with what they have. Imagine being a school leader or principal advocating for children and being made to feel that seeking fairness could make things a whole lot worse.

We are now in a position where unless a child is categorised as level 3, meaning he or she has severe medical, toileting or feeding needs, he or she is unlikely to qualify for SNA support. However, what about children who need support every single day in a mainstream classroom? I refer to children with learning difficulties, children with Down's syndrome, children who have diagnoses but are not in special classes, and children waiting years for assessments because the system cannot provide them for them and, therefore, they cannot access the supports they actually need. These children are being squeezed out and it is happening in all of our constituencies. Members in this House will know that. Opening special classes without ensuring adequate staffing levels across the board is not a solution; it is robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is giving with one hand and taking with the other. Schools are being told to absorb growing complexity, increased diagnosis and larger needs with fewer adults in the classroom. That is not inclusion; it is not fairness at all. It is certainly not supporting the children we claim to be supporting.

I have spoken to the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, on this issue and he has indicated a willingness to engage, which I welcome, but that engagement has to lead to action. Schools should not have to feel threatened for appealing decisions and parents should not have to fight every single year for basic supports. Principals should not be left managing fear instead of actual resources. We need transparency on how SNA allocations are being reviewed. We need proper staffing models that reflect the real needs of mainstream settings as well as special needs settings. We need immediate assurance that schools that appeal will not be subject to punitive reductions. It is ridiculous that schools are afraid to appeal a decision in case they lose more SNAs. It just beggars belief. This is about children and whether we are supporting them to thrive or letting them struggle. Right now, a whole lot of children and families, especially in my area but across the board, are struggling and crying out for supports. I have been inundated with emails. This needs to be looked at immediately.