More resource teachers but hours still reduced

An extra 600 resource teachers will help meet growing demand for supports for children with special needs in September but they will still only get 85% of recommended hours.

The National Council for Special Education has notified schools of the 5,902 resource teaching posts it has sanctioned for next term. It is an increase from 5,721 currently allocated, and 617 more than the number at the beginning of this school year.

However, the increase is in response to rising demand and Department of Education limits on numbers mean the pupils they work with will not get the full weekly hours recommended in its own 2005 rules for the scheme.