Concerns over more special needs cuts

FEARS have been expressed that further cuts in school services for children with special needs may be in the pipeline after a review was ordered by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe of how special needs assistants are allocated to schools.

He has asked the National Council for Special Education to ensure the 10,000-plus assistants deployed in schools are working with children who meet the criteria for support. The exercise is separate from a value-for-money review of the service already being undertaken by his department, which is due to be completed later this year.

Peter Nolan, national secretary of IMPACT, which represents 3,000 assistants, said he is concerned the department is using the review as an excuse to make cuts in the service.