A SPECIAL needs school in Tallaght faces cuts of up to two-thirds in the number of its teachers and classroom assistants under the review of special needs assistants ordered by the Government.
Breandáin Ó Heineacháin, principal of St Joseph’s special school in Balrothery, said the school had been told that it would lose 66 per cent of its staff by the National Council for Special Needs.
He said the school had asked Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to come and speak to them about the cuts but he had refused, citing the ongoing review conducted by the National Council for Special Needs.
“This is nasty stuff. The Department of Education are pretending they have nothing to do with this,” said Mr Ó Heineacháin.
One parent who contacted The Irish Timessaid the department wanted to cut the number of teachers to six, down from 16 at present. It also wanted to cut the number of special assistants from 15 to five. She said if this went ahead it would be devastating for her son.
Officials from the National Council for Special Needs are expected to meet with staff from the school to consult on the rationalisation plan.