Sinn Féin Councillor Cathal King has said urgent and coordinated action is needed to address the serious barriers facing Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision across local communities, following a meeting at Stormont with Sinn Féin spokesperson on Childcare and Early Years Cathy Mason MLA, Sticky Fingers Arts Newry and Dáire Hughes MP.
“Sticky Fingers Arts is currently the only provider delivering this level of specialised SEN care in the area, providing vital early intervention and educational support to children with complex needs,” Councillor King said.
“Families are being left frustrated and exhausted by a system under severe pressure, with far too many children missing out on appropriate, timely and fundamental early learning and schooling opportunities. Delays in assessment and access to provision are having real and lasting consequences for children’s development.”
The Newry councillor continued:
“The onus is now firmly on Ministers to work collaboratively across the Departments of Education, Health and Communities to protect and sustain the Sticky Fingers Arts facility, and to put in place a clear pathway to enable more children to access this essential service.”
Councillor King said SEN provision cannot continue to rely on individual providers carrying the burden alone and called for increased places, sustained investment and a genuinely joined-up approach to meet growing need.
Mr King added:
“We have worked extensively with Sticky Fingers Arts to help secure the services they provide today. Their work is invaluable to families in Newry and far beyond. Sticky Fingers Arts works with schools and supports children across the full range of SEN, and we will continue to stand up for this vital service.”
Dáire Hughes MP said:
“Sticky Fingers Arts provides an invaluable service to children and families, yet it is operating within a system that is failing to keep pace with demand. The Education, Health and Communities Ministers must now step up and work together to ensure this facility and SEN provision is protected and properly supported.
“Access to appropriate services at an early age is crucial and without coordinated action across government, too many children will continue to be left behind. Sinn Féin will keep working with providers and families to push for accessible and appropriate SEN provision for every child who needs it.”
CRÍOCH / ENDS
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