Sophie Brady, a 27-year-old special needs assistant from Meath, Ireland, has been left without a job following the summer break, despite two years of dedicated service at a secondary school. Her dismissal without explanation or an opportunity to say goodbye to the children she supported highlights the precarious employment situation facing SNAs in Ireland, where positions must be reapplied for annually with no guarantee of continuation. Brady's experience is particularly troubling given that her employer hired additional SNAs for a new special class whilst failing to rehire her, and she received no negative feedback about her work.

The school deactivated Brady's email account without notification and provided no interview or formal communication of her non-employment, leaving her to discover her dismissal indirectly just days before the new academic year. Of the three SNAs at the school, the other two were retained following interviews, whilst Brady heard nothing despite her two years of service. Brady's contributions included supporting approximately 11–12 girls from first year through to Leaving Certificate, assisting with medical needs, facilitating transitions between classes, and providing crucial routine and familiarity for children with additional needs, particularly those with autism. The experience has prompted Brady to leave the profession entirely, as she feels the treatment she received throughout her career undermines the meaningful work she undertook.