Longford protest vows to fight against SNA review

Despite the bleak weather, there was a decent turnout in Longford town’s Market Square last Saturday for a community protest in support of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).

The protest was organised by Edgeworthstown Sinn Féin activist, James Donnelly, in response to grave concerns surrounding the government’s proposed review of the SNA allocation system and the risks that lie ahead in terms of potential budget cuts and reduced essential support in schools.

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An unsuccessful local election candidate in 2024, Mr Donnelly said the purpose of the protest was to send the clear message that the people of Longford would not tolerate any cuts, reductions, reallocation of support, or uncertainty for schools and families.  

After news first emerged that the government was proposing to review SNA allocations, a number of people reached out to James to discuss the matter. It was following this that he felt inspired to organise a public response.

Posting his plan to social media, he called on people to get in touch if they wished to get involved.

“I just put it out there," he explained, "I said if anyone was willing to get involved, wanted to speak at it, or just wanted to share their experience to give me a call or a text. In fairness, I got quite a few replies. I had to take it down so that it didn't get out of hand." 

"We had a couple of SNAs, we had parents and we had my former sixth class teacher, Alan Conroy, principal of St Mary’s (Edgeworthstown) speak as well. It was quite a good turnout.”  

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Mr Donnelly added, “The fact that so many SNAs, parents, teachers, principals, advocates, all turned up on a blustery Saturday afternoon in Longford to protest against the potential removal of SNAs shows exactly how the public feel towards this move that they were going to do until the public came out in their numbers and voiced their concerns." 

"I also think it's important to note that only one local councillor turned up. Now you might be able to make reasonable excuses that it was short notice or that the councillors didn't see it advertised. That's fair enough. But if one councillor knew about it, I'm sure a lot of them did."

"I just thought it was noteworthy that a lot of councillors didn't show up and only one TD turned up (Sinn Féin’s Sorca Clarke). None of the government TDs did.”

Deputy Clarke addressed the gathering and among the other speakers were Alan Conroy, Phoenix Kragana, Ann O’Leary, Lorelei Fox Roberts, and Linda Gorman Fitzpatrick.

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While the government has pressed pause on their SNA review, Mr Donnelly says many parents, SNAs and community members remain highly concerned not just about the uncertainty surrounding the matter but the long-term impact on children with additional needs should the government’s proposed changes eventually go ahead. 

Mr Donnelly outlined, “When I was addressing the crowd I said this won't be the end just because the government has kicked it down the road."

"It's just a pause, so we’ve every intention of regular protests if need be until the government makes a final decision or make a plan at the very least. I know that's happening nationwide." 

"I know a group has been set up called Save Our SNA’s, and they're mobilising nationally and getting all the kind organisers or protests together to keep this going.”