HUNDREDS protested in Cork last week in support of special needs assistants (SNAs) amid growing anger among school communities nationwide.

Protesters gathered at Cork City Hall and held up placards warning Micheál Martin: ‘Hey Taoiseach, leave our kids alone’.

Carrigaline Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) said a clear message needed to be sent to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael: ‘Do not mess with our children and, most certainly, do not mess with our children with special needs.’

The Government promised a U-turn on attempts to cut SNAs for the 2026 school year after a huge backlash from parents – including many in West Cork.

But despite the announcement that an additional €19million would be spent on SNAs this year, resulting in a pause to any review of allocations, parents, students, teachers and Opposition TDs remain sceptical.

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

One mother warned that her autistic daughter would lose out on vital aspects of her childhood and education if the SNA cuts went ahead.

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

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.’