Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

SELB U-turn on Summer Schemes

Published: 5 July, 2010

This change of heart means that the summer schemes in Rathore and Lisanally Special Schools will take place over two weeks and with full transport, something Sinn Féin has lobbied for since the cuts were first introduced.

Speaking on the issue Councillor Casey said, "I have spoken to the SELB and they have confirmed that, following intervention from Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, the summer schemes for children with special needs will go ahead as usual.

"I am delighted with the result of the lobbying campaign against these cuts, it demonstrates that the voice of the people has been heard. Sinn Féin feels passionately that the most vulnerable in our society should be protected and surely these children with special needs and their families deserve to have their summer scheme."

Councillor Anthony Flynn who has also promoted the retention of the summer schemes added, "Sinn Féin councillors, MLA's and MP's were vociferous on this issue. We strongly believe that the Education and Library Boards should never have targeted these summer schemes for the chop and for this reason our local MLA's Mickey Brady & Cathal Boylan visited Rathore and Lisanally schools, our MP Conor Murphy wrote to the SELB to get the decision changed and our local councillors joined stood firm with local communities against these cuts."

"We are delighted that the summer scheme will now go ahead in its entirety and we hope that all of the young people taking part enjoy their summer and that their parents' worry on this issue is over."