Special education teachers 'should not be used for substitution'

Last week, a range of emergency measures were introduced to help primary schools deal with a staffing crisis as many are struggling to find cover for those who are sick or isolating.

Special education teachers (SETs) should not be used to cover mainstream classes when a teacher is absent, according to the Minister for Special Education.

Appearing at the Oireachtas education committee on Thursday morning, Josepha Madigan ruled out allowing schools to ‘bank’ lost hours of special education as they could last year.