THERE was a heated exchange of words when parents of children with learning disabilities came face-to-face with deputy Pat Deering on Saturday.
Over 100 furious teachers, parents and special needs assistants marched through the streets of Carlow armed with a petition containing nearly 11,000 signatures.
Organised by SNAP, a local group of special needs assistants and parents, the protest marchers made their way to deputy Deering’s office in a desperate attempt to increase awareness as children across the country suffer due to funding cuts.
So far, 426 special needs assistants have lost their jobs nationwide, with fears that this week’s budget will see more attacks on the sector.
“There was an exchange,” admitted Bagenalstown mother Lorraine Ryan.
“It was a grave exchange – there was disagreement between the number of special needs assistants he had and the numbers we know are out there.
“Parents, special needs assistants and teachers were telling him what it is actually like on the ground … they have tightened the criteria so much and have made it so hard for a child to qualify for an SNA. Now, children have to have physical care needs or be a danger to themselves or others before they qualify.”
Lorraine added that government cuts have also tightened resource teachers’ hours by 10% across the board for all children and cuts in support for children from the travelling community have also been made.
In Carlow alone, SNAP estimates that schools have lost 20 special needs assistants over the last two years.
Lorraine warned that these cuts are going deeper than most people are aware of: “Parents are also finding it difficult to get their child assessed publicly. It is taking so long that they have to get private assessments, which can cost up to €400 a go. This is not just about special needs assistants – it is about everybody.”
Protesters also presented deputy Deering with a parliamentary question for minister for education and skills Ruairi Quinn.