There could be a number of special needs assistants (SNAs) who lose their job helping pupils in primary and secondary schools as a result of budget cuts in Ireland.

Up to five per cent of the 10,000 SNAs in the Irish education system could be lost in an attempt to reduce the budget by 230 million euros, the Irish Independent reports.

Trade unions and disability groups have voiced their concerns that this move will affect the country's "most vulnerable" kids.

Chief executive of Barnados Fergus Finlay told the newspaper: "It's getting to the point where it's almost an interference with the constitutional rights of children because you can't provide a proper education without them."

Earlier this month, Ireland's cabinet ministers met to discuss proposals over cutting the education budget as part of December 2010's financial plan. 

Sources revealed that in order to save money, registration fees for third-level students could double from 1,500 euros to 3,000.

Written by Donal Walsh

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