The principal of a Co Wexford primary school has accused the Department of Education of putting "money-saving policies" before the welfare of children with special needs.
Mr Brian MacMahon, principal of the CBS in New Ross, says he will "fight tooth and nail" any reduction in the number of resource and remedial teachers at the 160-pupil school.
A circular issued by the Department of Education indicates new arrangements are being introduced in relation to the allocation of resources for primary pupils with special educational needs.
These include the creation of an additional 350 special needs teaching posts and a new "weighted" system for the allocation of resources. Despite departmental assurances, Mr MacMahon says the result will be a reduction by half in the number of speciality teachers at the CBS from next year.
"At the moment we have three resource teachers and a full-time remedial teacher. We have over 40 children who require remedial tuition and at least 20 others who could benefit from remedial tuition. We also have 30 children who receive resource tuition."
A Department spokeswoman would not comment on individual cases. She said schools may seek additional resources specifically for pupils with lower incidence disabilities. These include moderate, severe and profound learning disability, autistic spectrum disorders, and sensory impairments.