Parents angered by special needs cuts

PARENTS of children with autism have criticised the Department of Education amid claims that home education grants and special needs assistants in schools have been cut.

Last week, the Irish Examiner reported that head teachers throughout the country were shocked by notices that children’s special needs assistant (SNA) hours were being axed by up to 50% in some schools.

The proposed move came despite a Government pledge to tackle special needs through the Disability Bill and the Education for Persons with Special Needs Bill.