The education minister has told six schools to provide more critically-needed special education places.

A special needs assistant now paraplegic following a road accident has won, by a four to one majority, her Supreme Court appeal over a decision she cannot return to work at a special needs school.

The dad of a gifted student with special needs fears his son's behavioural progress will be destroyed with the axing of an 'invaluable' resource class at his school from September.

The state’s most vulnerable children are not benefiting from the economic upturn and use of words like “inclusiveness” and “equality” are sometimes little more than lip service, according to the Ombudsman for Children.

The trade union which represents special needs assistants has called for immediate consultation on Government plans to introduce changes in the funding and delivery of the service.

New Department of Education guidelines expected by next summer will tell schools that physically restraining or secluding children must not be used as disciplinary measures.

Children with special care needs will get the right supports at the right time in an overhaul of how they are assisted at school, Education Minister Richard Bruton has pledged.

Migrant children and those from disadvantaged areas start primary school significantly earlier than others and do not settle as well, significant new research shows.

Migrant children and those from disadvantaged areas start primary school significantly earlier than others and do not settle as well, significant new research shows.

Schools could be legally forced to set up classes for pupils with special educational needs if parents are unable to get a local school to provide services.

A new film could inspire parents to truly celebrate difference and so head off bullying, writes Helen O’Callaghan

Children with special needs are unable to attend the school deemed most suitable for them as they do not qualify, under strict rules, for school transport.

Legal powers should be created to force schools to set up special classes for children with autism, TDs and senators told Education Minister Richard Bruton.

The appeal by one-in-eight of the country’s 4,000 schools of their teacher allocations for pupils with special needs is an indication of shortcomings of a new system, a Sinn Féin TD has claimed.

Supports are to be allocated without the need for the assessment of pupils to guarantee extra help at school.

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.

Several important education agencies and colleges have had no board or no chairman for several months, in some cases for over a year.

The National Council for Special Education has had no board since the previous 13-member board’s term ended at the end of last year.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

She deprived her young son of sleep, dressed him in unfamiliar clothes and filled him full of liquids so that he struggled to control his bladder. And she did it out of love, writes Caroline O’Doherty

Making supports for pupils with special needs a right — rather than a privilege — would make the school system fairer, writes Education Correspondent Niall Murray

The Government has no plans to implement a law passed 11 years ago to give automatic entitlement to school care and teaching support to children with disabilities.

The scheme to provide special needs assistants (SNAs) for pupils with care needs is to be reviewed after the Government approved more than 600 extra posts for the next school year.

A possible strike by special needs assistants (SNAs) has been averted by new rules giving those employed part-time a better chance of extra hours in schools.

There will be 4% more resource teachers in schools in September to help children with disabilities.

Children with disabilities and their schools could be forced to continue with reduced support while they wait another two years for automatic access to special teachers.

Schools are being asked to volunteer to test a new way of allocating teachers for pupils with special needs.

Children with special needs are effectively being blocked from entering some schools due to hidden discrimination that has yet to be fully tackled by the Government.

Only 21 more resource teachers can be appointed to schools between now and June to work with children with disabilities.

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.

Children with disabilities look set for another school year of 15% cuts to their special-needs teaching while a new way of giving schools extra staff is finalised.

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.

A proposal that could see special needs teachers deployed as the principal of each school sees fit is examined by Education Correspondent Niall Murray

The NCSE maintains the new system will be fairer and more transparent, but acknowledges there will be anxiety for parents, writes Education Correspondent Niall Murray.

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.

Five-year-old Tom and his sister May, four, will start school next September but their educational needs are quite different.

The Government is to allow through an Independent TD’s bill giving all children with Down syndrome automatic entitlement to resource teaching hours.

Students are still waiting months for important assessments, despite all schools having access to the public educational psychological service, it was claimed.

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.