SDLP Armagh councillor Gráinne O’Neill has said that pupils of Lisanally Special School and their families are disappointed by the cancellation of the school’s summer scheme.
The summer scheme cannot take place due to traffic management works on the school’s new car park.
Councillor O’Neill raised the issue at the full meeting of council on Monday where it was agreed to write to the Education Authority.
Councillor O’Neill said:
“Several parents have contacted me in significant distress about the cancellation of Lisanally Special School’s summer scheme. After a sustained campaign we were delighted this important traffic management work was given the go-ahead by the Education Authority, but we did not realise it would be at the expense of the school’s summer scheme.
“Many parents rely on this scheme to keep their children active over the summer months and I know that the young people themselves look forward to it and enjoy taking part. This is not the type of situation where these children can simply go to another summer scheme in the local area. These young people have complex needs and there will not be another scheme in the local area that is suitable for them to attend.
“I welcome council’s commitment to write to the Education Authority to clarify the lack of consultation with parents and to establish if any alternative provision or facilities have been considered to cater for these young people during the summer months. I would also ask the Education Authority to confirm if any equality impact assessment on this decision was carried out. I understand the work at the school is important, but it’s unacceptable that these pupils will lose out on their summer scheme completely with seemingly no suitable alternative in place.”
ENDS
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