Special-needs teaching cuts under fire

A cut in the level of teaching supports for special needs children is under fire from parents and teachers.

It emerged yesterday that the Department of Education is allocating only 90% of the resources that primary schools say they need.

The INTO has condemned the move, saying it puts schools in the position of having to explain to parents why they cannot provide the level of support recommended for their children.

Special Needs Parents Association Lorraine Dempsey, whose daughter Rianna has cerebral palsy, said: "We just feel excluded constantly, (and) just generally under attack by all the swathes of cuts".