SNA protests voice concerns about future cuts to vital resource
Today's Roscommon Town protest supporting SNAs.
Sizable protests were held in Castlerea and Roscommon Town today, Wednesday, in a strong show of support for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).
Teachers and parents who attended this afternoon's demonstrations voiced deep concerns about any possible future cuts to this valuable resource in local schools.
The local ‘Save our SNAs’ protests, which are part of a national campaign, are calling for the protection of SNAs, children and the wider school community from staff cuts.
The protests went ahead despite the Education Minister's announcement on Monday that there will be no reductions of SNAs for the next school year.
The Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton announced there would be no reductions of SNAs for the next school year along with an additional €19 million in funding. However the Forsa Trade Union representing SNAs said the move was a "sticking plaster to be in place for 12 months while the Government tries to get its act together".
During the protest in Roscommon Town, our reporter Aoife Hynes spoke to one parent Pearl Carroll about the possible impact of any SNA cuts on her son.
Aoife also spoke to Cloverhill NS Principal Catherine Mullarkey who attended the protest.
At the Castlerea protest, the Herald spoke to Dave Sexton, Industrial Relations Officer with Fórsa. (Video credit: Liam Reynolds)
Watch some of the Roscommon Town protest here:
