The amount of support schools able to offer to special needs students may be reduced from September as the government has announced a cut in the number of teaching hours available.

From the start of the next school year, educational facilities will only get 90 per cent of the resource teaching hours they received in the 2010-11 period.

The decision was criticised by the Irish National Teachers Association, which described it as another cutback that would harm the most vulnerable members of society.

General secretary of the union Sheila Nunan stated Irish primary school classes are already among the most overcrowded in Europe and the reductions will only make matters worse.

"Special needs children cannot cope in these classes without the additional help and support given by resource teachers. This support is now being cut by ten per cent," she said.

In a letter circulated to school management authorities, the Department of Education explained that the cuts to the education budget are part of a wider series of austerity measures and if they are not made, it could jeopardise the package of financial support Ireland is receiving from the international community.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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