Closest matches to “Hunter: Special school summer schemes underlines Executive dysfunction”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include SDLP · Back to the release
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Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the DUP Education Minister’s failure to provide summer programmes for pupils in special schools is unacceptable, and she will write to the Health and Education Ministers urging them to devise a solution for these children and their families.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows welcomes confirmation that Special School summer schemes will go ahead
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes confirmation from the Health and Education Ministers that summer schemes at special schools will proceed. He calls for a full review of the Education Authority's workforce and training, and says he has written to the Education Minister…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Burrows welcomes confirmation that Special School summer schemes will go ahead (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers must provide transparency over ‘shambolic handling’ of SEN summer schemes – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Education Minister to give guarantees at Tuesday's Assembly recall that the cancellation of special school summer schemes will not recur, and demands full transparency over who made the decision and why.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Ministers must provide transparency over ‘shambolic handling’ of SEN summer schemes – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Impassioned speeches need to be followed with concrete action:…
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says problems with summer schemes for children with SEN reflect a wider system failure that needs real action, not party political attacks. She calls for the Executive to unblock a 10-year SEN facilities investment plan and warns the draft budget's education cuts would hit…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on SEN summer provision and draft budget cuts Original release: Impassioned speeches need to be followed with concrete action:… (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison calls on the Education and Health Ministers to urgently secure a joint funding package so summer schemes can run in special schools this year, after the Education Authority cancelled schemes over healthcare concerns.
Education Health Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools (opens in a new tab)
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SEN summer scheme debacle must never be repeated – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says special school summer schemes must go ahead this year and that the chaos over SEN summer schemes must not recur. She calls for families and providers to receive information promptly and accuses Education Minister Paul Givan of deflecting blame.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: SEN summer scheme debacle must never be repeated – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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5,500 Children with Special Needs Abandoned by a Dysfunctional Executive
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll condemns the cancellation of summer schemes for more than 5,500 children with special educational needs, blaming the Executive's failure and urging families and education workers to mobilise against the decision.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: 5,500 Children with Special Needs Abandoned by a Dysfunctional Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers must answer for SEN summer scheme debacle, says Guy
Alliance's Michelle Guy MLA says the Education and Health Ministers must answer for briefly halting special educational needs summer schemes, then reversing the decision a day later. She calls for an Assembly recall motion tomorrow and demands an apology to families.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN summer schemes cancellation and reversal by Education and Health Ministers Original release: Ministers must answer for SEN summer scheme debacle, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford says the failure to provide school transport for pupils with special educational needs is the latest in a series of failures, citing nearly 400 children awaiting special school placement and halved funding for mainstream SEN support staff. He looks forward…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs school transport provision failure, September 2023 Original release: Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers' U-turn following Alliance’s Assembly recall to save SEN summer schemes
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes the Education Authority's confirmation that special educational needs summer schemes will go ahead this year, but says Education and Health Ministers handled the situation inadequately. He says it should have been resolved earlier and vows to keep…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Ministers' U-turn following Alliance’s Assembly recall to save SEN summer schemes (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate Investigation into the Cancellation of SEN Summer Schemes
Aontú calls for an urgent, transparent and independent investigation into the Education Authority's decision to cancel SEN Summer Schemes, announced on 26 March and reversed the next day. It welcomes the reinstatement but demands accountability and safeguards against a repeat.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Immediate Investigation into the Cancellation of SEN Summer Schemes (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister's attacks on SEN pupils and education staff a new low - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll accuses the Education Minister and Education Authority of shifting blame for a shortage of SEN school places onto schools. He calls for them to listen to families and education unions and reverse their decision.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority reports 160+ SEN children awaiting school places Original release: Education Minister's attacks on SEN pupils and education staff a new low - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says Department of Education cuts halving funding for SEN co-ordinators, from £22 million to £11 million, will harm pupils with special educational needs. She calls on the Department to clarify the basis for the cuts and how it will meet its…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education proposed halving of SEN funding Original release: Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Decision to close primary school announced during summer holidays unacceptable, says Alliance representatives.
Alliance South Belfast MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw raise concerns about the Education Minister's decision to close Downey House Prep School, announced during the summer holidays. Nicholl has written to the minister seeking justification for the timing and details of support for parents…
Education Issue: Downey House Prep School closure announced during summer holidays Original release: Decision to close primary school announced during summer holidays unacceptable, says Alliance representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says children with special educational needs have been left behind again after reports that over 300 lack a school place for September. She blames area planning failures by the Education Minister and the Education Authority, and calls for the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 300 SEN pupils without school places for September Original release: Children with special educational needs left behind yet again, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison
Alliance MLAs Michelle Guy and Nick Mathison say the Education Minister must explore all options to resolve the special educational needs placement crisis, after the Education Authority reported over 160 children still lack confirmed school places for next year.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority reports 160+ SEN children awaiting school places Original release: Crisis response from the Education Minister needed on SEN school placements, say Guy and Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says SENCO workload pressures are unfair and unsustainable, and calls on the Education Minister for urgent interventions, properly resourced EA Local Impact Teams and a thorough review of the role ahead of an Assembly motion.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SENCO workload pressures ahead of Assembly motion on special educational needs Original release: SEN school staff workloads are unmanageable and unsustainable, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison urges action to ensure SEN Placement crisis is averted
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA warns the EA faces another SEN placement crisis for 2026/27 after the Minister confirmed additional specialist provision secured so far will not meet projected demand. He urges the Minister to intervene urgently.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Minister confirms insufficient specialist SEN placements for 2026/27 academic year Original release: Mathison urges action to ensure SEN Placement crisis is averted (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of Assembly impacting SEN provision, says Mathison
Alliance education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the lack of a functioning Assembly is hurting children with special educational needs, as sector witnesses appeared before a Westminster committee. He calls for urgent prioritisation and an action plan from the Department's SEN review and urges…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hearing on special educational needs provision Original release: Lack of Assembly impacting SEN provision, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)