Hanafin faces FF backlash over autism education

EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin was last night accused of a “lack of compassion” towards pupils with autism as she faced a showdown with Fianna Fáil backbenchers on the issue.

The crunch meeting is expected to see tension over the restricted use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in schools erupt again.

Ms Hanafin was thrown onto the defensive last month when former minister Mary O’Rourke accused the Department of Education of having a “blockage” when it came to helping autistic pupils.