Delays in support for pupils with learning difficulties

CHILDREN with severe learning difficulties face delays getting vital teaching supports due to a staffing review ordered by the Department of Education.

It has asked the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to halt sanctioning resource teaching hours for pupils with more complex learning difficulties while it assesses numbers appointed this year.

All primary schools get a certain number of resource teachers to work with pupils who have common learning difficulties but the NCSE has to approve additional posts for children with more difficult learning problems.