One member of the Dail has suggested proposed cuts to the education budget that could reduce the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in schools may be illegal.

Independent TD Finian McGrath suggested the proposals may be in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which calls for all youngsters to be given equal opportunities to learning, the Irish Times reported.

He also suggested it could break laws established in the 2004 Education for People with Special Educational Needs Acts.

The warning came as a motion on a number of measures proposed by Independent TDs - including the reversal of the SNA cuts - was defeated by 103 votes to 47, while around 700 people attended a demonstration outside Leinster House to oppose the changes.

However, Taoiseach Enda Kelly stressed that the budget reductions will not affect the quality of education, as he insisted students will still have access to an SNA should they need it.

Mr McGrath had previously spoken out against the cuts in the Dail last month, with RTE reporting he queried whether the full consequences of the move have been thought through.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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