Schools will not be forced to take special needs

THE Government is unlikely to remove funding from schools that do not enrol their fair share of students with English language special needs, said Education Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday, despite union demands.

Ms Hanafin revealed the findings of an audit of enrolment polices of these children and those from the Traveller community, at the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) congress.

Although specific schools will not be named by her department, Ms Hanafin said her officials have found evidence supporting the suggestion that some second-level schools cherry-pick their students.