UP TO 300 special needs assistants (SNAs) have been cut in schools at a time when there is no independent appeals process, an Oireachtas committee was told yesterday.

MOBILE phone operators cannot be expected to meet the full cost of protecting children from abusive and inappropriate calls and text messages, an Oireachtas committee was told.

A STUDY on third-level funding options — including fees — is being fast-tracked for the Government.

Ireland's early childhood education services rank far behind those of most European countries, it was claimed today.