(Ireland) SPED parents struggle; govt plans for almost 25K SNAs by end of 2026
- The end of childhood
- Oct 18
- 3 min read
Oct 15, 2025 Dublin Gazette: Parents feel students in autism class are let down
Parents of children with specific educational needs attending a school in Hartstown are feeling very let down this year as one SNA was removed from the autism class.
The Principal Stacy Allen and staff at St Ciaran’s NS in Hartstown have been praised for their incredible support but the parents feel completely confounded by the NCSE
“The school has done absolutely everything they can within the system but are getting nowhere,” said Orla Gallagher, mum of Henry is in senior infants in the autism class at St Ciaran’s.
Orla’s son (6) has Level 3 autism, an intellectual disability, dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder. He requires full 1:1 SNA support to safely access his education, use his AAC device, and maintain dignity for daily care needs.
“Henry is also non-verbal and only started primary school in November 2024. A third SNA was allocated to the class between the six children. But in September, that third SNA was removed without warning, despite the children’s needs remaining the same and professional reports recommending 1:1 support for safety reasons.”
Henry used to spend a little time in mainstream class but this is no longer possible with only two staff in the special class.
Orla alleges the third SNA was given on a verbal promise from the respective SENO who asked the school to get letters from two children’s psychologists saying they required another SNA in the school.
“That promise was given and that the permanent contract for the third SNA would be realised after Budget 2026, but now we are being told that was not the case,” said Orla.The school’s principal Ms Allen appealed and unfortunately, Orla understands the SENO maintains that was a temporary measure only. A review in February 2025 resulted in two SNAs only for the special class. SENO acknowledged a Dublin Gazette enquiry but did not respond to our questions.
For Marie Nulty, who is herself a qualified SNA, she faces similar problems with her son Chester who will be five next week. Chester attends St Ciarans NS in Hartstown but within a mainstream class.
“But we received his Assessment of Needs (AON) which states he needs a SNA or that he would be suitable candidate for the autism class. While Chester is verbal, and has a high IQ, he is a very anxious child and gets very fidgety, plus he ‘stims’.
“I actually thought he was getting a SNA for movement and toilet breaks. He is also an asthmatic and needs help to use his inhaler. We would have fought for a place in the autism class had we known!”
Marie sends Chester to school with a wobble cushion and visual aids to lessen his stress as he is very shy about asking for his needs.
For Marie and Orla, they will face this situation next year when Marie’s younger son will start primary school and Orla’s daughter Poppy will be school age. Both children are on the spectrum.
Orla states their sons’ experience is part of a much bigger issue, and states all the hype from the Department and NCSE continue announcing “new autism classrooms” being opened nationwide is disingenuous.
“In many cases, the NCSE are offering school places for classrooms that don’t even exist, that haven’t been built yet leaving children with additional needs at home with no structured education while other special classes are understaffed, operating on the bare minimum support the NCSE can get away with.”
In response to our enquiries, a spokesperson for the Department of Education and Youth said the “The Department does not comment on individual cases.”
The Department recognise the central role of SNAs in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools by helping to ensure that these students can access an education … and reach their full potential.
“The department has been steadily building on the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in our education system. Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts which will bring the total number of SNA’s to almost 25,000 by the end of 2026.This is the highest number ever.”
The Dept noted that it is The NCSE which manages the allocation of the SNAs to schools, and it is the responsibility of the NCSE to ensure that these resources are allocated to the children with the greatest level of need. “Any school who has concerns about the level of their SNA allocation should contact their local special education needs organiser to discuss the matter.”
However, 25,000 by the end of 2026 does not sort the issues for Chester Nulty or Henry Gallagher right now, nor for the academic year ahead.
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