Tracey Martin discusses learning support boost

The IHC says the goverment will need to quickly boost the number of learning support co-ordinators if it wants to make a real difference to the lives of children with disabilites. The government has announced it will fully fund the positions from 2020, with the promise the 600 will double if the budget allows. Trish Grant, from IHC, says extra staff are desperately needed but she questions why there will only be 600 when there are almost 2,500 schools around the country. She also points out there are also long waiting lists for children needing help from a variety of specialists. The president of the primary teachers union, Lynda Stuart, says funding of the learning support coordinators was a core claim in the stalled contract negotiations, but she says other sticking points remain, and the strike later this month is still on. Tracey Martin is the Minister for Children, she talks to Susie Ferguson.