Two NI Special Needs Summer School Schemes Restored To Two Weeks

Two Education and Library Boards have fully reinstated summer schemes for pupils with special needs.

Budget constraints meant the Western and Southern boards had cut the schemes down to one week, but they will now be held over two weeks as in previous years.

The cutbacks caused an outcry among parents who said they relied on them.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she discussed the schemes with board representatives on Thursday.

“I welcome the decisions from both boards to fully reinstate the schemes to two weeks with transport provided,” she said.

“I know that parents and the children involved will also welcome this good news and look forward to enjoying the schemes.”

In a joint statement, the WELB and SELB said that after members met on Wednesday to discuss concerns raised about the schemes, they agreed to restore free transport.

“Following further discussions this morning involving the education minister and senior Department of Education officials, it has been decided that the Special School Summer Scheme will be run for two weeks this year in both the SELB and WELB areas, with transport provided,” they added.

‘Unprecedented pressures’

“Both boards continue to emphasise the responsibility placed upon them to live within their budgets.

“This, combined with the lateness of their allocations has created unprecedented pressures.

“The SELB and WELB hope that the public understand the challenges of finding the very significant savings which will have to be implemented across services.”

The South-Eastern board had also cut its scheme; it is expected to release a statement about its plans on Friday.

Earlier, the North Eastern Education and Library Board said its special needs schemes were “operating just as they have in previous years”.

In a statement, it said: “At no time did the board consider cutting them back.”

It said that 372 young people had registered to attend the schemes this year.