THE Government has confirmed that there will be no reductions to SNAs (Special Needs Assistants)  for the next school year.

The announcement comes as schools and parents of children with additional needs raised significant concerns over the planned review and redeployment of SNAs across the country.

Locally, West Cork parents feared that their children would be left without the support they needed.

Following oppositions to these plans, the government has announced that they will not be reducing SNA allocations for the coming academic year.

Special schools who had been allocated additional resources following the review are still set to receive them.

This decision was reached following a meeting with Government leaders on Monday night.

Agreement to a redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce plan will be advancement before any further decisions are taken and the NCSE recommences further reviews.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said it was ‘very welcome news.’

‘SNAs are an absolutely crucial resource for schools who have children with special needs.’