Cllr Johnny Mythens letter to President regarding SNA cuts, October 2010.

Enniscorthy Sinn Féin Cllr Johnny Mythen has been a long time campaigner for the retention of special needs assistants in our schools. Last year he put together a report on snas in Wexford after visiting a number of local schools. He also wrote a letter to the President asking her to intervene should snas cuts be brought in as they were contradictory to our constitution which states that "require in view of actual conditions that the children receive a certain minimum education, moral, intellectual and social”.

Here is Cllr Mythens letter to the President.

Cllr. Johnny Mythen,
Ballyorril,
Enniscorthy,
Co. Wexford.

6th October 2010

Dear President,

It is with the best intentions that I write this letter to you on behalf of the Parents of Special Educational Needs Children.

Both of our primary schools in Enniscorthy, St. Sennan’s and St. Aidan's, have lost half of their SNA’s. As responsible citizens of this country we all realise the financial difficulties we are in. In this present climate we expect some pain will have to be endured. This cross should not be borne by the weakest and most vulnerable in our society. Special Needs Children are in a minority. The costs that the Government are saving are pittance compared to the National Debt. Therefore we would like you to refocus the Governments thinking on these cuts. President you are the holder of the highest office in our Country, the Guardian of our Constitution. Article 42 paragraph 3 of this sacred document states “as Guardians of the common good, require in view of actual conditions that the children receive a certain minimum education, moral, intellectual and social”.

Under this article and under the Education of Persons with special Educational Needs Act 2004, we ask you to uphold the Constitution and convince the Government that these decisions are contrary to the common good.

Yours sincerely,

__________________________
Cllr. Johnny Mythen,
Sinn Fein.