Special classes axed across country

The response by Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to the appeals by primary schools against the closure of special classes has been “minimalist and totally inadequate”, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said today.

General secretary of the INTO John Carr told the Irish Times the response leaves hundreds of special needs children in dozens of primary schools without the "vital service".

Earlier this year the Minister announced the closure of 128 special classes in 119 schools for children with mild general learning difficulties. More than forty schools appealed the decision to the Minister and today it was announced that only ten of the classes will be retained.

The following schools, who appealed the decision, will have special classes closed:St Anne's NS, Bailieborough, Co Cavan - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's NS, Macroom Road, Coolock, D17 - 1 class to be closed,St Michael's GNS, Arklow, co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,St Fergal's SNS, Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,Sacred Heart School, Sruleen, Clondalkin, D22 - 1 class to be closed,Convent of Mercy JNS, Castleblaney, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,St Michael's NS, Domincan Campus, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,Mercy Primary School, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,Virgin Mary Girls & Boys' NS, Ballymun, D9 2 classes to be closed,St Oliver's NS, Ballycasheen, Killarney, Co Kerry - 1 class to be closed,Sc Chaitriona JNS & SNS, Renmore, Co Galway - 2 classes to be closed,Mallow Convent NS, Mallow, Co Cork - 2 MGLD classes to be closed. One class since re-designated as an autism class,Convent of Mercy NS, Kilrush, Co Clare - 1 class to be closed,Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D 10 - 1 class to be closed,St Catherine's SNS, Ratoath Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's NS, Bancroft Avenue, Greenhills Road, Tallaght - 1 class to be closed,St Cronan's SNS, Brackenstown, Swords - 1 class to be closed,St Brendan's BNS, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's BNS, St Mary's Hill, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,Sacred Heart SNS, Killinarden, Tallaght, D24 - 2 classes to be closed,St Aidan's NS, Brookfield, D24 - 1 class to be closed,St Brendan's BNS McAuley Road Artane, D5 - 1 class to be closed,St Peter Apostle SNS Neilstown Clondalkin, D 22 - 1 class to be closed,St Kevins BNS Barry Avenue Finglas West , D11 - 1 class to be closed,St Francis' JNS Priorswood, D17 - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's Arklow - 1 class to be closed,St Peter Apostle JNS - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's JNS, Rowlagh, Clondalkin - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's SNS, Balcurris, Ballymun - 1 class to be closed,St Eithne's NS, Edenmore, Dublin 5 - 1 class to be closed,St Helen's SNS, Portmarnock, Co Dublin - 1 class to be closed,Dominican convent Wicklow/Rathdrum Wicklow - 2 classes to be closed.

Romanian family subjected to Belfast attacks

A Romanian family has been targeted in a string of racist attacks in south Belfast.

Breakingnews.ie reports that windows were broken at a house and a car damaged in the Belgravia and Wellesley Avenue areas near the Lisburn Road over the last four days. A PSNI spokeswoman said: “A crowd gathered on each occasion and the properties and a number of windows were smashed.” There have been no reports of any injuries.

Residents plan to demonstrate against the violence tonight. There have been tensions in the area since trouble erupted before at a football match between Northern Ireland and Poland at Windsor Park in Belfast. Several migrant families have been forced to move homes.

Sligo nurses and midwives agree to Labour Court recommendation

The threat of further industrial action at Sligo General Hospital looks to have been lifted after nurses and midwives today voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Labour Court recommendation in their dispute over staffing levels.

Workers have already engaged in a day of industrial action after temporary staff members were let go and management proposed further cuts.

The Labour Court's recommendation includes an offer of re-employment with the HSE for the 19 temporary nurses that were let go. It also involves the continued employment of all temporary staff until there is a review of staffing levels.