Even for those who promote the balance sheet of an economy over the values of society, the whole thing is little short of stupid, writes Michael Clifford

There are reports that some parents who are desperate for extra teaching help for their children are paying for them to be formally diagnosed with disabilities.

One in every 65 school pupils has an autism diagnosis — a significantly higher than previously believed.

A new way to give schools extra staff to support children with disabilities should not preclude the Government from giving those pupils full rights to adequate education, a parents’ group told TDs and senators.

The need for equal access for all children with disabilities who need therapy services in school needs to be addressed urgently by the HSE, TDs and senators urged yesterday.

An extra 600 resource teachers will help meet growing demand for supports for children with special needs in September but they will still only get 85% of recommended hours.

WHEN a child misses 20 days of school in a year, a state body must automatically be notified and intervene with the family or guardian.

Schools that repeatedly refuse enrolment or breach proposed new admissions rules could get away with it unless an independent appeals system remains available, a parents’ leader has claimed.

Students with special needs should be given better supports on moving to college, but particularly on the transition to further education, researchers have recommended.

Some health professionals are diagnosing children with disabilities so they will get extra educational supports, TDs, and Senators were told yesterday.

THE National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the body charged with advising the minister for education on the teaching of children with special needs, is listening carefully to students, parents, and advocacy groups.

Up to 118 new special needs classes are to be established in schools around the country this month, according to the National Council for Special Education.

Ruairi Quinn paraded out of Government Buildings flanked with Labour backbenchers to announce Cabinet approval to keep resource teaching for children with disabilities at current levels in the autumn.

Bridgette Keane dreams of a day her seven-year-old son Mark can tell her he loves her — and hopes it will happen.

For primary school principal Michael Daly, news of more cuts to special needs provision appears to impact like an axe taken to the household budget.

Parents, principals, and teacher unions have slammed the latest cuts to special needs resources claiming the Government is directly targeting the most vulnerable children.

The country’s largest teaching union has accused the Government of enforcing savage cuts on pupils with special needs.

The National Council for Special Education says a new system of giving schools extra teachers for special needs pupils will help remove delays in supports.

A major review of special education in Ireland has found some children are waiting more than a year for a diagnosis, whilst others find it hard to get a school place.

Improved security systems are needed in special classrooms to protect teachers and classmates from violent outbursts, Education Minster Ruairi Quinn has been advised.

The announcement that 91 classes for children with special needs are to be introduced to schools next month has been welcomed by disability groups.

Teaching unions and parents’ groups have hit out at a 5% cut in resource teaching hours.