Podcasts about snas

Over recent days we have seen the government roll back on reforms to reductions in SNAs in schools around the country. Parents had been left angered and concerned as some schools received letters informing them that their SNA numbers would be cut from September.Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh has written in the Independent today about her experience as the mother of a non-verbal autistic child and she said she is “very disappointed in [her] own Government”...Shane is joined by Deputy Ardagh to discuss.

Tánaiste Simon Harris take questions from PJ on the topics listeners raised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ discusses what can be done about Friday traffic offences, puts listener issues to Tánaiste Simon Harris, learns that a fence made out of willows could be the best option. And more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the grand final of the Irish Times Debate will take place in Dublin, where teams will debate the motion: This house believes the United Nations has had its day. The debating competition was founded in 1960 and counts many distinguished alumni among the ranks of its participants and winners, including comedian Dara O'Briain and the late broadcaster Marian Finucane. In today's episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by this year's debate convenor and former winner Ciara McLoughlinn, plus Clíodhna McHugh, who won the individual speaker prize in 2024. Both work in the legal profession and say this debating experience was crucial in building their confidence and public speaking skills, before leaving university. But first Irish Times features writer Nadine O'Regan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including Katie Taylor's retirement announcement, the latest in the disappearance of US pensioner Nancy Guthrie and the backlash that followed a proposal to reduce the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in Irish schools. She also shares her thoughts on the new Wuthering Heights movie, starring Margot Robbie and Jason Elordi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dáil revelations about future rental profits, more ado about SNAs, maritime security and political fallout from football flares..and what will the students say about shouty Dáil discourse?

Live95s Lauren Beirne spoke to Noelle and Joanne, who are both SNAs in Limerick, about the protests that have taken place here and around the country following the controversy around SNA allocations in schools. Image via Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerry spoke to Mick Clifford, special correspondent with the Irish Examiner about the Government’s disastrous handling of plans to reallocate special needs assistants. The Department of Education said initially this reallocation was to ensure that children with the greatest need for SNAs would benefit. However, after it emerged that some schools would face losing SNAs, the government first paused these plans and then did a complete U-turn.

The Government has confirmed there will be no reduction in Special Needs Assistants in schools next year, following a major public backlash over proposed cuts affecting almost 200 schools nationwide — including some here in Clare. An additional €19 million has now been allocated, but questions remain about how the situation arose and what happens when a fresh review of SNA posts takes place next year. Meanwhile, SNA's and parents of children with additional needs will protest outside the Dáil at 5pm this evening - with simultaneous demonstrations in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Buncrana. They're going ahead with their planned protests, despite a Government U-turn on SNA allocations. Alan Morrissey was joined by Meelick Fianna Fáil TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth, Cathal Crowe, and Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan to discuss this. Photo © JasonDoiy from Getty Images Signature via Canva

Special Needs Assistants, parents, teachers, and students will take to the streets this afternoon to call for support for SNAs as 30 protests are due to take place across the country.Joining Shane to discuss is Eoghan Kenny, Labour's Education Spokesperson and Niamh McDonald, parent and organiser of today's protest.

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led reviews from 2023 onward, and how this year's broader round of reviews led to some schools being told they had more SNAs than the model allowed. I talk through the predictable political cycle that followed: schools and parents mobilised, pressure built, the Minister “paused” the process, additional funding was announced (€19 million), and the government confirmed no school would lose an SNA this year. While I'm relieved for schools, principals and SNAs facing uncertainty, I argue that pausing-and-funding responses don't fix the underlying pattern and that we're likely to repeat the same crisis again. I also say I feel sorry for the NCSE in this instance because they became the visible face of a policy they were implementing, and I argue the real issue sits higher up the chain. I then outline what I see as the structural problem: Ireland's primary schools are publicly funded but privately managed individual entities competing for enrolment, staff and survival, while staffing supports (SNA posts and SET hours) are allocated through a national, projection-based redistribution model. I describe how redistribution creates concentrated losers and dispersed winners, making it politically fragile, and I connect this to the annual “cluster games” around SET allocations. Finally, I set out the kind of structural change I think is needed: moving away from competition as the organising principle by exploring regional employment and local coordination through education authorities, because I don't believe repeated annual firefighting counts as planning. I also reference additional writing and commentary, including an Irish Independent piece by Fionnan Sheahan and analysis by Ciara Reilly, and I point listeners toward my Substack articles for more.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 SNA Allocations Fallout02:30 How the SNA Model Works04:28 From Freeze to Reviews07:59 Backlash and the Pause09:11 Predictable Crisis Cycle10:03 Relief and Real Stakes12:19 Why NCSE Took the Heat14:06 Schools Compete to Survive17:09 Redistribution vs Competition18:25 SET Cluster Games Parallel22:42 Politics and Concentrated Anger29:29 What Would Actually Change33:16 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led reviews from 2023 onward, and how this year's broader round of reviews led to some schools being told they had more SNAs than the model allowed. I talk through the predictable political cycle that followed: schools and parents mobilised, pressure built, the Minister “paused” the process, additional funding was announced (€19 million), and the government confirmed no school would lose an SNA this year. While I'm relieved for schools, principals and SNAs facing uncertainty, I argue that pausing-and-funding responses don't fix the underlying pattern and that we're likely to repeat the same crisis again. I also say I feel sorry for the NCSE in this instance because they became the visible face of a policy they were implementing, and I argue the real issue sits higher up the chain. I then outline what I see as the structural problem: Ireland's primary schools are publicly funded but privately managed individual entities competing for enrolment, staff and survival, while staffing supports (SNA posts and SET hours) are allocated through a national, projection-based redistribution model. I describe how redistribution creates concentrated losers and dispersed winners, making it politically fragile, and I connect this to the annual “cluster games” around SET allocations. Finally, I set out the kind of structural change I think is needed: moving away from competition as the organising principle by exploring regional employment and local coordination through education authorities, because I don't believe repeated annual firefighting counts as planning. I also reference additional writing and commentary, including an Irish Independent piece by Fionnan Sheahan and analysis by Ciara Reilly, and I point listeners toward my Substack articles for more.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 SNA Allocations Fallout02:30 How the SNA Model Works04:28 From Freeze to Reviews07:59 Backlash and the Pause09:11 Predictable Crisis Cycle10:03 Relief and Real Stakes12:19 Why NCSE Took the Heat14:06 Schools Compete to Survive17:09 Redistribution vs Competition18:25 SET Cluster Games Parallel22:42 Politics and Concentrated Anger29:29 What Would Actually Change33:16 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

It's very simple. Schools cannot function without SNAs. As the Government stumbles around the issue of SNA cuts, we are joined by SNAs Oneesa and Samantha to explain what has been happening over the last couple of weeks. We also look at the broader problems - why the role of the SNA needs to be redefined, why SNAs need new contracts and, most importantly, why the lack of respect and understanding around what SNAs do can lead to catastrophic results for all children in our schools, whether or not they receive SNA support.Please follow Oneesa (@sna_support_and_inspire) and Samantha (@samanthaofl_) to see the important work they are doing.Follow us @thatllteachyoupodcast to stay up to date, and please rate and review the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pj chats to Rebecca O'Riordan who explains why the SNA issue has pushed families to protest at the Dáil and in Cork. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Government has allocated an additional €19 million for special needs assistants (SNAs) to ensure there are no cuts in the 2026/27 academic year following outcry over plans to reduce the service provision in almost 200 schools.But SNAs, unions and parents say that this measure is just 'kicking the can down the road' and the Government must now engage with stakeholders to address issues relating to special education.Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and Jesslyn Henry, SNA and Social Democrats councillor, join The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

There will be no reduction in the number of special needs assistants next year. An extra €19 million euro has been agreed to fund SNAs. It follows a meeting with several ministers last night, over a public backlash to planned SNA cuts in almost 200 schools around the country. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, who's Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth says it will be a huge relief to pupils and parents.

The Department of Education has indicated there won't be any reductions in the total number of SNAs for the next school year, while the Government reconfirm and reanalyse the recommendations of the NCSE in respect of total necessary numbers. Speaking to Anton this morning was Fórsa's Head of Education Andy Pike.

The Department of Education has indicated there won't be any reductions in the total number of SNAs for the next school year, while the Government reconfirm and reanalyse the recommendations of the NCSE in respect of total necessary numbers. Speaking to Anton this morning was Fórsa's Head of Education Andy Pike.

Matt is joined by Áine Kerr and Shane Coleman to discuss the importance of SNAs in our schools and our government's mishandling of potential changes. Why is the government finding it so hard to come up with ways of protecting our children from harmful social media? Outrage at the planning refusal for a new building for the Rotunda Hospital on Parnell Square, is there anything to be said in favour of the planning board's decision? Was Sinn Féin invited to the White House or not before it said it wasn't going?Brought to you by The Greenman Group.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of money coming to Cork for roads, around €230m but will it be well spent PJ asks Junior Minister Jerry Buttimer and he also puts some points about the current SNA controversy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Education supports for children with additional needs have been thrust back into the spotlight after Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton announced a pause to the review of Special Needs Assistant allocations. The decision follows widespread concern from parents, schools and unions after a number of schools were informed they could lose SNA posts from next September, despite Government assurances that there are no overall cuts and that SNA numbers will rise to 25,000 by 2026. The review, carried out by the National Council for Special Education, had prompted protests and calls for greater clarity around how allocations are decided. So, what does this pause really mean for families, for SNAs working on the ground, and most importantly, for the children who rely on that vital support every day? Alan Morrissey spoke with Whitegate mother Anne Malone and SNA and Tubber native Liz O'Donoghue on Clare FM's Morning Focus Photo (c) JasonDoiy from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

Environmentalist Padraic Fogarty on the mis-management of water, Rory O'Connor about the proposed cull of SNAs, Meath Sports Volunteer Paddy Bird, ReRooted the movie up for an IFTA and Lokesh Bala's exotic fish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iar-Uachtarán ar Ghaeloideachas le tuairimí láidir ar na ciorruithe atá beartaithe le SNAs ar fud na tíre.

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Fianna Fáil / Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central / Liam Quaide, Social Democrats TD for Cork East / Christina Finn, political editor, The Journal.ie

Anne-Marie Ford, Principal at Scoil Naomh Colmcille & Shane Lambert of Fórsa

Jerry spoke to Paul Favier, principal of Glenflesk National School. A review by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recommended that the school lose one of its two SNAs.

There are calls to review the leave disparity between pregnant SNAs and teachers in Clare. As it stands, pregnant school employees may be placed on Health and Safety Leave where a risk has been identified which is not possible to remove from the work environment. SNAs are only entitled to 19 days of paid absence unlike their teacher colleagues who have unlimited paid leave. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua, who raised a motion on the issue at the latest meeting of Clare County Council, claims it's simply "not fair".

Helen O'Neill tells Paul Byrne that parents must resist the silent fall off in availability of SNAs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, January 11, 2026: Bhakti Parv -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Cork Senator Laura Harmon on her bill to extend paid leave for teachers and SNAs who experience assaults in the classroom, the scourge of illegal dumping - could CCTV help, the Irish Hospice Foundation on their report Dying, Death and Bereavement in Ireland 2026, Cork's Norma Sheahan on her stand-up show and nutritional advice with Anneliese Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, November 03, 2025: Day 4 -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, November 02, 2025: Day 3 -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, November 01, 2025: Day 2 -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, October 31, 2025: Day 1 -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, October 29, 2025: Prarthna Diwas -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

It's claimed new guidelines are restricting Clare Special Needs Assistants from helping children in the classroom. It comes as the Department of Education has also been requested to carry out a full review of additional needs school spaces in this county. A circular issued by the Department of Education in May states the role of the SNA is to support the care needs of a child and that responsibility for the overall progress of students lies with the classroom teacher. A recent report by the he National Council for Special Education has also indicated that SNAs should have no role in assisting children with behavioural difficulties, causing outcry in Clare. The local authority has now requested that Minister Helen McEntee calls for an urgent meeting with the NCSE to resolve the issues. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor and SNA, Antoinette Baker Bashua believes it's a glaring policy error.

Sant Nirankari Adhyatmik Sthal, Samalkha -Haryana, September 28, 2025: Inauguration of Samagam Sewa -78th Nirankari Sant Samagam -Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

On Thursday 25th September, schools across the country will celebrate the invaluable work done by Special Needs Assistants in schools every day. Sarah O'Callaghan, an SNA from Shannon, joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to discuss the vital role SNAs play in schools. Background Image (c) by atlasstudio via Canva

Prepare to be inspired! Angela Cummins (@specialedteacherireland) is on the show this week, and we're excited. Angela is as experienced as it gets when it comes to teaching in an autism class, having begun 27 years ago. We chat to her about her goals at the start of the year and beyond, the challenges faced by teachers and SNAs, and what the school community can do to support our colleagues in autism classes.This is the first of a number of episodes this season with a focus on neurodiversity in our schools. Make sure to follow us @thatllteachyoupodcast on Instagram and Tiktok to see what's coming next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listeners are worried about the redeployment of SNAs in schools. Noel has noticed something about Waterford's position on the map during the television weather bulletins. Dave explains what happened to the pitch where he trains soccer in Co. Leitrim. Sgt. Caitriona Holohan explains what a silent 999 call is.

School secretaries and caretakers in Clare have pledged to remain on strike until the Government meets their demands. Pickets have taken place at the office of the county's Government TDs this morning as those engaging in industrial action continue their pursuit of public service pensions and other entitlements for a fourth day. Having chosen the school gates as the location for their demonstrations since last Thursday, secretaries and caretakers in Clare opted for a different approach this morning. Equipped with placards displaying slogans such as "fair pensions for all school staff" and "pension parity", strikers have taken their grievances directly to the gates of power today by picketing the offices of Clare's Government TDs. After being granted access to Fine Gael Deputy Joe Cooney's office in the Market in Ennis, the secretaries and caretakers present made the Bodyke TD aware of their plight. Secretary at St Senan's National School in Kilrush, Bernie Dillon, says they've been made to feel like "paupers" and that they won't relent until a resolution is found. The key asks of secretaries and caretakers are inclusion in the public service pension scheme, access to sick leave and access to bereavement leave - entitlements enjoyed by other school workers like teachers and SNAs. They're also asking to be paid by the Department of Education rather than by their schools' board of management. Tim Daly, who's the caretaker of the Holy Family National School in Ennis, insists it's an indefinite strike. Deputy Cooney claims he spoke to the Minister for Education Helen McEntee about the issue this morning and that he will continue to engage with her until progress is made. He admits work could've got underway during the summer. Fórsa, which is the trade union that represent school secretaries and caretakers, says "there is no WRC process, no talks, and no effort on the Government side to resolve the situation" at present. It says its members won't come off strike until negotiations resume. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan believes the industrial action must continue if parity is to be achieved.

Clare secretaries are preparing to begin an indefinite strike after it's claimed the Department of Education has 'shown no interest' in resolving a long running parity dispute. Fórsa is calling for secretaries and caretakers to receive the same entitlements as teachers and SNAs, including pensions and bereavement leave. Industrial action will begin as the school term resumes next week, while a protest is planned outside Dáil Eireann on August 28th. Vice-chairperson and Treasurer of Fórsa School Secretaries Branch on the Clare/Galway border, Rena McGrath, says there has been no meaningful consultation from the Department on the matter.

Teachers get pensions. SNAs get pensions. So why don't the women who run school offices asks School Secretary Noreen O'Callaghan. See also here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Clare special needs assistant is calling for assessments of needs for children to be expedited. Education Minister Helen McEntee has announced that as of September of this year, SNAs will be redeployed to schools where vacancies exist instead of being made redundant in the event that the number of roles allocated to their school changes. The Fórsa union has described the initiative as "seismic" for the 23,000 SNAs working at national and secondary schools nationwide. Tubber native Liz O'Donoghue says schools are under immense pressure to provide SNAs to children awaiting assessments.

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 18, 2024: 3rd Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 18, 2024: 3rd Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 16, 2024: 1st Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 17, 2024: 2nd Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 16, 2024: 1st Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

SNAS Samalkha Haryana, November 16, 2024: 1st Day 77th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam -Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj