4% increase in resource teachers to help pupils with disabilities

There will be 4% more resource teachers in schools in September to help children with disabilities.

The 6,454 teachers being allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is 554, or over 9%, more than schools had at the start of the current school year.

But despite an increased budget from the Department of Education, a cap on special education staff means only 251 posts remain available for schools with pupils whose needs were not diagnosed before applications closed. That is 66, almost 21%, less than were distributed during this school year, but it is unclear what levels of demand will emerge after September.