Special education cuts 'devastating primary schools'

The Irish National Teachers Organisation has said the cuts to special education have devastated primary schools.

The INTO, which is holding a conference in Limerick today, said the amount of time available to children in need of extra resource hours has been reduced by 15%.

The union is also criticising the reduction of teachers, and the high pupil-to-teacher ratios.

President of the INTO Sean McMahon said cuts to special education need to be immediately reversed.

"As an immediate measure, we're calling on the Department to reverse the 15% cut and put in more teachers and support mechanisms into our schools so these children are appropriately supported."