TDs differ on special needs issue

TWO Clare TDS have clashed over an alleged 10% cut in special needs assistants in the county next September.

Fine Gael and Labour deputies in Clare are among the Government TDs who refused to accept a Fianna Fáil Dáil motion opposing cuts to SNAs last week, according to Deputy Timmy Dooley.

The Fianna Fáil deputy predicted a 10% reduction in SNAs will still go ahead in September, despite the Government’s u-turn on cuts to resource teaching hours.

“Thousands of children with disabilities in schools across Clare will be affected,” he claimed.

Deputy Michael McNamara said, however, this statement is another example of “extreme opportunism by Fianna Fáil.

“It is almost as if he is disappointed that the decision by the Minister for Education to increase resource teachers has undercut Fianna Fáil’s shallow private members Dáil motion, which was only ever about serving the private interests of his party.

“I am glad the minister has decided to increase the number of resource teachers and there will be no reduction in the number of SNAs, nor was there any reduction in the number of SNAs since this government came to power,” he said.