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16/05/2007
Multi-million pound autism centre to open
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has today reaffirmed his commitment to the establishment of a multi-million pound all-Ireland centre for the education of children with autism.
Mr McGuinness, a former Education Minister in the last executive, spoke following a visit to the site of the proposed centre in Middletown, County Armagh. Minister of Education, Caitríona Ruane accompanied him.
The project is being funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Education and Science in Dublin.
Mr McGuinness said: “I firmly believe that as a society we will be judged by how we provide for the most vulnerable among us. So, together with the Minister of Education it will be one of my priorities as deputy First Minister to work closely with our colleagues in the DES in Dublin to bring to fruition this physical demonstration of our determination to improve and enrich the educational opportunities for young people with autism.”
He continued: “Autism recognises no borders and in tackling it we also need to adopt an all island approach just as we should in developing our response across the range of special needs.”
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane also commented: “I am pleased that recent progress has been made to turn the dream of establishing a centre for excellence in the treatment of autism into reality.
“We now have a Board of Directors and Chief Executive in place and plans are advanced for the necessary refurbishment works.”
She also said Middletown will also offer four main provisions – learning support, educational assessment, training and advisory and autism research and information.
(JM/SP)
Mr McGuinness, a former Education Minister in the last executive, spoke following a visit to the site of the proposed centre in Middletown, County Armagh. Minister of Education, Caitríona Ruane accompanied him.
The project is being funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Education and Science in Dublin.
Mr McGuinness said: “I firmly believe that as a society we will be judged by how we provide for the most vulnerable among us. So, together with the Minister of Education it will be one of my priorities as deputy First Minister to work closely with our colleagues in the DES in Dublin to bring to fruition this physical demonstration of our determination to improve and enrich the educational opportunities for young people with autism.”
He continued: “Autism recognises no borders and in tackling it we also need to adopt an all island approach just as we should in developing our response across the range of special needs.”
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane also commented: “I am pleased that recent progress has been made to turn the dream of establishing a centre for excellence in the treatment of autism into reality.
“We now have a Board of Directors and Chief Executive in place and plans are advanced for the necessary refurbishment works.”
She also said Middletown will also offer four main provisions – learning support, educational assessment, training and advisory and autism research and information.
(JM/SP)
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