Deal on staffing levels in special needs schools

MORE THAN 23,500 children are receiving assistance in school for learning disabilities, according to Department of Education figures.

The figures are revealed in the preliminary results of a census of special needs education provision carried out in primary schools by the department last October. They emerged as agreement was reached last night about staffing levels in primary schools for children with special needs. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) expressed concern last week about department plans to give all schools equal levels of resource teachers, based on pupil numbers.

The union was angry that disadvantaged areas, small schools and those with all-male enrolment might be left with a lower allocation of special needs staff.