Special needs cuts vote delayed

A vote on cutting special needs provision has been delayed

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has postponed decisions on special needs cuts.

Board member Jimmy Spratt of the DUP claimed that a report into special needs had been concealed from the board.

The report by a firm of consultants was delivered up to three years ago.

Members voted not to decide on cuts to staffing and the closure of four units until they had the opportunity to read it.

Members were promised they will get the report and will meet again in two weeks to consider the cuts.

"That report may well have very serious consequences for the decisions that were made and there may well have been some concealment from the board - or previous board - and we need to find that out before we make any decision whatsoever," Mr Spratt said.

It is understood the cuts could save the board millions of pounds.

The cutbacks include the closure of special units at St Malachy's High School, Castlewellan, Holy Family Primary, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch Primary School and the Lindsay Hospital School in Belfast.

The board has said it needs to make cuts because it currently spends £6m more on special needs than it is allocated.