Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said that funding must continue for the Middletown Centre for Autism.
The Minister said she had received a letter from the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, advising that his department had to review funding for all educational projects and it was not currently possible to enable the capital project to proceed as planned.
Minister Ruane said: “I fully appreciate the implications of the current economic climate, but am very disappointed at any potential to delay progress at Middletown as it is in difficult times that support for vulnerable children is paramount.
“The development of Middletown has been discussed at every meeting of the education sectoral North South Ministerial Council meetings since 2002, when both departments committed to develop and jointly fund the project. My department will uphold our commitment and I hope we can jointly restate our support for Middletown.
“I have written to Minister O’Keeffe to emphasise the importance of Middletown to children with autism, their families and the professionals who work with them throughout the island of Ireland.
“Already the staff have provided training for over 700 individuals from the education and health sectors. The development of the capital project has the potential to provide facilities for in depth assessment programmes to enable local service providers to better meet the needs of our most challenged autistic children.
“I will be meeting with Minister O’Keeffe at Middletown and will be pressing for a renewed commitment to the centre to ensure all children on the autistic spectrum can avail of the best treatments possible.”
Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, on the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse
Today’s publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, throws light on a dark period of the past. The publication of this comprehensive report and analysis is a welcome and important step in establishing the truth, giving justice to victims and ensuring such abuse does not happen again.
This Report makes it clear that great wrong and hurt were caused to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. It documents a shameful catalogue of cruelty: neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children.
I am profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children suffered in such awful ways in these institutions. Children deserved better and especially from those caring for them in the name of Jesus Christ.
I hope the publication of today’s Report will help to heal the hurts of victims and to address the wrongs of the past. The Catholic Church remains determined to do all that is necessary to make the Church a safe, life-giving and joyful place for children.
With Ireland’s Six Nations success still very much the topic of the day and with the impending Lions tour just around the corner the rugby squad from Gibson Primary School in Omagh took the opportunity to show off their skills at Ulster Rugby’s Primary School Mini Rugby Tournament that was held on the famous Ravenhill pitch.
The squad displayed some fantastic skills and a great team spirit in front of friends, family and members of the current Ulster Rugby team and proved that they all have a great sporting future ahead of them.
Supported by education ICT specialist, Northgate Managed Services, for a fourth consecutive year, the tournament that has been a key fixture on the school rugby calendars for more than 35 years, is an excellent way of encouraging children to become more active and to develop their rugby skills.
To reach the finals tournament the team from Gibson took part in a prequalifying tournament and successfully progressed to Ravenhill for their chance to compete for the 2009 Primary Schools’ Mini Rugby Cup Trophy.
Commenting on the tournament, Simon Wallace, Commercial Manager with Ulster Rugby said, “Mini rugby is an exciting way for kids to play and enjoy rugby. The tournament has proved to be a hugely successful feature of the primary schools’ mini rugby calendar, and continues to play an important role in nurturing young sporting talent in Ulster. The added element of competing on the historic Ravenhill pitch is something that the kids are sure to remember long after the final whistle.”
Stuart Gunning, Head of Education with Northgate Managed Services added “We are delighted to continue our support for this excellent tournament for a fourth consecutive year. The standard of play was incredibly high and the children, their parents and teachers are to be congratulated on making this year’s event a huge success.”