Hundreds protest at Cork City  Hall to say ‘a pause is not enough’ for SNAs

Around 200 people gathered at Cork City Hall on Wednesday evening in support of special needs assistants (SNAs) as part of a nationwide series of demonstrations.

As many as 30 protests were held across the country amidst continuing anger among school communities. This is despite a Government U-turn earlier this week on attempts to cut SNAs for the 2026 school year.

It was announced on Tuesday that an additional €19m would be spent on SNAs this year, resulting in a pause to any review of allocations.

However, Anglesea St heard chants of “a pause is not enough”, as SNAs, teachers, parents, and students gathered outside the city council offices.

Hand-painted signs reading “Hey Taoiseach, leave our kids alone” and “No ifs, no buts, no SNA cuts” were held high alongside banners for the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, the Green Party, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Fórsa, and Aontú.

Joanne Doherty, vice-principal of Scoil Barra in Ballincollig, said she had heard the initial news of a proposed reduction in SNAs, and had not known “whether to curse or to cry”.

While the decision to pause the cuts was welcome, she said a focus on real solutions was needed.

“We invite the Government and the NCSE [National Council for Special Education] to work with the people on the ground — with school leaders, teachers, SNAs, parents — and never forget the voice of our incredible children,” Ms Doherty said.

“Come into our schools. See the complexity. See the care.

“Let us create a framework where the word ‘care’ is truly at the heart of supporting our children.”

Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said full clarity from the Government is urgently needed.

“A pause is not a sufficient explanation for parents and staff who don’t know if these SNA roles will exist in a year. SNAs, principals, pupils, and parents need answers.

“Every child deserves supports, and should be entitled to an appropriate class place; this should not be up for debate,” she said.

Eoghan Fahy, Sinn Féin county councillor for Carrigaline, said a clear message needed to be sent to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael: “Do not mess with our children and, most certainly, do not mess with our children with special needs.”

Brian McCarthy, Solidarity-People Before Profit city councillor, raised his voice and told the crowd that parents had been forced to endlessly campaign for their children’s rights.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are denying your children their right to an education, so the question to them is: ‘Why is cutting costs and protecting profits more important than providing kids with an education?’”