Teacher shortage leaves nine special needs children without school place

NINE children with special needs have no school place this week and are stuck in the middle of a staffing dispute between the school and the Department of Education.

St Gabriel’s Special School in the Cork suburb of Bishopstown told parents it can only offer part-time placements because it was notified last week that it is entitled to two teachers less than last year.

But the department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) say the school still has enough staff — eight teachers and 28 special needs assistants — to cater for all 38 pupils enrolled.