The Department of Education has begun a value for money audit of special needs assistants in 100 schools, including 20 special needs schools.

Castleknock Educate Together national school has learned that there is now adequate funding to enable it to open its Special Needs Unit this September.

A meeting which took place last night between Fianna Fail backbenchers and Education Minister Mary Hanafin failed to change the minister’s mind.

Research suggests that 10% of children could have a “working memory” impairment that causes them to do less well than expected in school.

Over 50 backbenchers are to meet Minister Mary Hanafin this week to discuss their concerns over the government’s approach to autism.

Six-year-old Luca Murphy cannot go to school because the autism outreach unit in the local Castleknock school where he is enrolled has not yet opened.