Inishowen Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray has confirmed that he has submitted a motion for debate at his party’s Ard Fheis calling for greater cross-border co-operation in terms of access to education for second level pupils with autism.
The motion will be debated at the Ard Fheis is Castlebar, Co. Mayo this weekend.
It reads: “That Sinn Féin recognises the need for greater cross-border co-operation in terms of second level education for pupils with autism, and campaigns through our Education Minister in the Northern Executive and Educational Spokesperson in the Dáil to remove any bureaucracy which prevents second level schools from accommodating autistic children from neighbouring counties on either side of the border. This Ard Fheis recognises that such a move would ease the burden of 51 families in border areas that currently send their children on long journeys to access education while a suitable scholl may be much closer in the neighbouring jurisdiction.”
Commenting in advance of the motion Cllr Murray said: “I moved this motion in order to ensure that a common sense approach is taken to special needs education in border areas.
“Currently a family in Inishowen whose child reaches secondary school age and requires special needs education must travel to Letterkenny to continue their education.
“This journey can be exhausting for the many children from Inishowen who make the trip as, when pick-ups and drop-offs are taken into account, it can take between 1 and 2 hours each way. A special needs assistant must also accompany the children on the round trip.
“Having spoken to some of the families affected, I am aware that they would prefer to have their children educated in Derry – should the option become available. This option would greatly reduce the journey that the children must make to go to school.
“In my opinion this would make far more sense and I am confident that the motion will receive widespread support from the delegates at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.”
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