Cuts at St. Joseph’s “nonsense” and must be reviewed - O’Connor

Dublin South West TD Charlie O’Connor has called for an immediate freeze on all cuts to Special Needs Assistants at St. Joseph’s Special School in Balrothery, Tallaght and the establishment of a new audit system to monitor the recommendations of the National Council for Special Education on the allocation of SNAs.

“I want to thank the families who came to the Dáil last Wednesday evening to hear the debate on Special Educational Needs.  It is always a joy for me to see children and their parents who have a very special place in my heart and our community in Tallaght.  During the debate I reiterated my whole-hearted support for St. Joseph's.  It is important that the school is supported and I work closely with all of the public representatives on this issue, regardless of political party,” said Deputy O’Connor, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.

“As part of my contribution to the Dáil debate I expressed my frustration and disappointment with the NCSE (National Council for Special Education) and the way it has dealt with St. Joseph’s.  The NCSE reviewed staffing levels and the care needs at the school, which caters for pupils aged four to 18 with a mild general learning disability.  It advised the school four SNA posts would be cut in mid-February and the Principal, Brendan Hennigan, informed me since that a further four posts were to be cut at the start of April, reducing the number of SNAs to 13.  The board of management at the school reluctantly issued notice of termination to eight SNAs only to since be advised to hold off on four of these terminations pending the outcome of the recent review.  This is not the way I want our schools to be run.  This is not a situation that can be tolerated and I urge the NCSE to do better for the children of St. Joseph’s,” said Deputy O’Connor.

“Until this issue is resolved in a satisfactory way I want the NCSE to commit NOT to make any further changes regarding St. Joseph’s until after the school year has been completed.  The school has 89 pupils and it is simply too disruptive for the children and their families.  I have spoken to Minister Coughlan about this on a number of occasions since her appointment.  It is, in my opinion, nonsense.  I also want to see a new audit system in place, perhaps this is a role for the Education Committee, where the decisions of the NCSE would be monitored and explained publicly,” added Deputy O’Connor.

“Wednesday’s debate was the first opportunity for the new Minister for Education Mary Coughlan to spell out her commitment to children with special educational needs and in my opinion she made it perfectly clear that this is an area of her job that will always be a top priority”, said Deputy O’Connor.

“I have stated clearly that the proposed changes at St. Joseph’s are cuts and I do not agree with them.  I take particular issue with the way the NCSE is handling the situation.  The NCSE says it is reviewing the situation and that the conclusion may be that schools currently losing staff will get extra staff.  This approach is utter nonsense and gives the impression that those making the decision on the allocation of SNAs have no regard for the sensitivity and care that this issue deserves.  During Wednesday’s debate I strongly urged Minister Coughlan to examine this point as a matter of urgency,” concluded Deputy O’Connor.