SNA cuts pause
Senator Cosgrove criticised the SNA cuts, welcomed the pause and extra funding, but questioned its source and urged public demonstrations to defend long-term supports.
I want to focus my remarks on the debacle of the SNA cuts. I welcome the decision to pause the roll-out of the proposed cuts to SNAs and also the announcement of the €19 million for additional SNA supports. However, the question as to where this money came from still has to be asked. While it is very welcome, how could it be just plucked out of thin air? Because parents and school communities have been contacting people across the country about the long-term security of this, I would encourage people to take part in the many demonstrations taking place across the country. I am very proud that the Labour Party is very involved in these. Parents, schools and young people themselves are looking for a long-term commitment that this is not going to go away and change again in 2027 or 2028. The announcement was unnecessary and was a very obvious mistake. It has caused so much upset for SENOs who have to deal with schools. An awful lot of work needs to be done to resolve this. Along with many others, I am looking for a commitment that there will be a long-term funding model for special education in this country.