Delay filling 475 special needs posts defended [IrishTimes]
- Published: 22 September 2011
THE DELAY in filling 475 special needs assistant posts in schools was defended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
“These are withheld for a very good reason: to cater for cases in which, as a newly assessed child comes into a class, an accident occurs or some other issue arises,” he said.
Mr Kenny said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was right to consider the extent of observation periods so that a comprehensive assessment of each child’s needs could be obtained.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that since 1998 there had been radical change, as well as dramatic improvements, in mainstreaming special needs education services. “For God’s sake, what the Taoiseach is saying does not tally with the reality on the ground. It is ridiculous to talk about 475 posts being withheld. Why are they being withheld?”
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
