Colum Coomey learns how children with special needs are affected by changes
PARENTS of children attending Corpus Christi Primary School, Moyross, are determined to have cuts in both staffing and hours for special needs assistants reversed.
Patricia Flannery is demanding assistance for her 10- year-old son Stephen, who has Aspergers Syndrome.
“It’s been a constant uphill battle for Stephen since he was six. I’ve been arguing for him to be assessed. Despite having expressed concerns, I was told when he returned to school that his SNA was let go.
“He has been reduced to four hours a day resource hours; one hour with a special needs teacher and three with a special needs assistant. He’s left high and dry for the rest of the time”.
These sudden changes, she said, had impacted on Stephen, now in fifth class.
“He can’t deal with change of routine, teachers or people. Now he can’t handle that because it’s all different people looking after him.
“He has been back in school for three weeks and has missed a week and four days because he can’t handle going in, he can’t handle the pressure,” said his frustrated mother.
Patricia once worked in the school as an SNA, which, she said, helps in her situation, but is not enough.
“I know what he needs to learn but I’m his mum… I’m going to waterwash nearly everything because I’m not there as a professional.
“There are so many children here that need help, and teachers also need assistance”.
Caroline Power, from Ballynanty, is worried about her son Sam, who has ADHD and Epilepsy.
“When he went back to school, we heard that two of the SNAs were leaving”.
She feels that the regeneration of the area will be pointless if children aren’t receiving a proper education.
“They are leaving the children down at the first hurdle. If it’s bad now, what’s it going to be like in 10 years time”.
She asked if all of the money allocated to regeneration should be put into education first and foremost.
“They talk about social inclusion, my son is entitled to an education and he’s not being getting it”.
Like Patricia, she is concerned that the cuts are putting undue pressure on her son.
“He’s 10 and asked me was it his fault that his SNA lost her job… that’s a huge responsibility on his shoulders.
“During the summer, he asked me if the SNA he had last year was going to be there when he went back to school, and I replied, I didn’t know”.
Sam’s resource hours have been reduced from five to three per day, which his mother is adamant is affecting his development.
“Last year, he had an SNA in the classroom and he came on in leaps and bounds… this year, he’s getting 20 minutes a day”.
The Moyross school has had their special needs assistants reduced from five last year to three.
Principal Aine Cremin, told the Limerick Post.
“We’re awaiting a decision from the Special Education Needs Officer on our appeal and we’re optimistic that we will get a positive response.
“We are certainly feeling the loss of our SNAs at the beginning of the year, as children who we would have expected to have full-time time resource hours have had them reduced. Unfortunately, the situation is not just limited to our school… it is a national issue”.
Councillor Tom Shortt described the cuts as a double edged sword.
“Not only are the children being abandoned, but it has also resulted in job losses.
“The number of SNAs at Corpus Christi is now below pre-regeneration levels”.
Parents Patricia Flannery and Caroline Power explain their situation to Labour education spokesperson, Ruairi Quinn TD with Jan O’Sullivan TD, Labour spokesperson on health and cllr Tom Shortt
