A number of primary schools in Kerry are opposing proposed plans to cut the number of special needs assistants in their schools.
The proposed cuts could come into effect from September this year. It follows a review process carried out last autumn.
Some schools in the Killarney area have already been notified of the plans to cut their SNAs and of an appeals process.
At least ten SNAs are to lose their school roles in the immediate Killarney area with fears further numbers will be impacted in the coming months as the review continues.
The 247-pupil Fossa National School in Killarney is set to lose four SNAs, while the two-teacher Glenflesk National School is set to to lose one of its assistants following the review.
Glenflesk NS Principal Paul Favier said the school is "very disappointed" with the process.
"Children with more complex needs are now attending primary school thanks to supports. If the cuts come in, the school may not be able to cope. It's the children who will suffer," he added.
Glenflesk NS is planning to appeal the proposed cuts, while Fossa NS is also appealing the proposed cut by the 13 February deadline.
There were four SNAs in Fossa's special class for autism spectrum disorder.
However, the six assistants who work in the main classrooms are set to be reduced to two due to the proposed cuts. There are 336 children in the mainstream classes.
"This decision is devastating and will have a severe impact on the entire school community," the SNA staff said in a statement issued to local representatives.
They added: "Without adequate SNA support, children with or without additional needs will not be able to integrate meaningfully into the classroom or wider school environment."
Fossa NS has also criticised "the process" that led to the decision.
"This decision was based on three inspectors spending an hour and a half in the school without speaking to any of the SNAs. According to feedback from other local schools that have had the same inspection we feel that our inspection was not conducted thoroughly," the staff claimed in a statement.
Local councilor Niall Botty O’Callaghan said the proposed cuts are leading to "huge concern" and "there is already a backlog of children with special needs".
Mr O'Callaghan said he was told the cuts are not based on financial reasons and that he does not know the reason for the cuts.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) press office said the level of need may fluctuate with falling enrollments and changing demographics as children moved from primary to secondary level.
There were now 861 SNAs in Kerry, an increase from 616 in recent years, it said.
It said the appeals mechanism and further guidelines will be published shortly on its website.
In a statement last year, the NCSE said it was putting in place redeployment measures for schools with a decrease in SNA allocations from the 2025/26 review process.
"The SNA Redeployment Scheme will operate alongside ongoing work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, which supports the objective of an enhanced SNA service that delivers the best outcome for children with significant care needs in our schools," it said.
