Report reveals special education shortcomings in Ireland

A major review of special education in Ireland has found some children are waiting more than a year for a diagnosis, whilst others find it hard to get a school place.

The National Council for Special Education, which carried out the review, said it is disappointed to find that some schools operate "soft barriers" to the enrolment of children with special needs.

It has recommended a new enrolment policy to make sure all children can get a school place.

It also said teaching resources should be allocated based on the individual needs of children, rather than the category of disability.

Chief Executive of the NCSE, Teresa Griffin, said she is concerned by reports from the HSE that it is being put under pressure to diagnose children in order to secure resources.

She said: "They were being put under tremendous pressure to diagnose children to secure resources, even when the diagnosis isn't clinically indicated by the cild's needs.

"They were really concerned, they feel that the departments policy in allocating teaching resources is actually driving unnecessary labelling of children, simply to secure additional resources."