Our politics team's behind-the-scenes take on events of the day. Sent Monday to Friday when the Dáil is in session
The pausing of a controversial review of special needs assistant (SNA) allocations after criticism from teachers, parents and unions has bought the Government some time to sooth tensions.
So writes Jack Horgan-Jones in his analysis of the U-turn, where he also points out that the issue has “also proved a sharp reminder of one of the hard borders of Irish politics – that there are few things trickier than taking something away".
He also writes that there is the question of what comes next, as schools that have been told of a planned cut to their SNA numbers are left in limbo.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has urged them to use internal review mechanisms to appeal the outcome if they are unhappy, but there is pressure on the Coalition – including from its own backbenchers – to clarify the next steps.
It is a while since any issue other than Fianna Fáil’s disastrous presidential election campaign has led to ructions at its weekly parliamentary party meeting.
But last night’
Continue Reading on The Irish Times
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.