IPPN

THE parents of a boy with a severe and complex syndrome pleaded with the Education Minister last night to keep his full-time classroom assistant.

John and Rachel Kelleher said the decision to halve the hours of nine-year-old Shane's special needs assistant (SNA) would have a devastating effect on his education and health.

"We have been fighting to get Shane speech therapy. We have been on a waiting list for almost two years. And now we are losing what we have," Shane's father John said.

"We hope short-term savings to the Finance Department won't marginalise our son and in the long term cost the State more in the special education system."

Shane, who is in third class at Scoil Chill Ruadhain in Brooklodge, Glanmire, has CHARGE syndrome.

The rare condition affects his heart, eyes, throat, stunts his growth and development, results in urinary abnormalities and can result in behavioural problems.

But thanks to his full-time SNA, Shane has made great strides in mainstream education, Mr Kelleher said. Shane's needs were assessed recently as part of a review of 1,000 schools by the Department of Education. This resulted in 70 SNA posts being lost to schools, but the creation of 175 posts in other schools. However, it was decided that Shane didn't need a full-time SNA. The hours of two other SNAs at Shane's school are also being cut.

"Without his assistant, Shane will be a disruption to the rest of the class and we know he will fall behind," Mr Kelleher said.

His son is fed a range of high-calorie supplements at night through a tube in his stomach.

"It is essential to his health that his intake is maintained constantly during the day. His SNA monitored this," Mr Kelleher said. "Shane is on medication to regulate his kidneys so fluid doesn't build up putting his heart under strain. Up to now, Shane's SNA supervised this.

"Without his full-time SNA, who will who will manage Shane's extra care and behavioural needs?"

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said it doesn't comment on individual cases. But a spokesman said the school could appeal the decision.

"The INTO is aware of a number of schools where reductions have been made in SNA allocations," he said. "In the first instance, schools should contact their local SNA organiser and appeal the decision. In the event of an unsuccessful appeal, they should direct it to National Special Education Council."

Meanwhile, parents in Donegal protested on Tuesday because children with special needs are being taught in a toilet due to a chronic lack of facilities.

Scoil Eoin Baiste, a five-teacher rural school, has been forced to convert a number of toilets into rooms to cater for children with special needs. One group is still being taught in a room that continues to be used as a toilet for children with physical disabilities.

Click here to access the article on the Irish Examiner website