Menu
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2024
Stalking Protections Proving Successful
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has welcomed new figures demonstrating the success of enhanced stalking protections in Northern Ireland. An addendum to the first report on the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022 shows that 90% of conviction cases for stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour were dealt with within a year.
Stalking Protections Proving Successful
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has welcomed new figures demonstrating the success of enhanced stalking protections in Northern Ireland. An addendum to the first report on the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022 shows that 90% of conviction cases for stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour were dealt with within a year.
06 August 2008
'State-Of-The-Art' Armagh Autism Centre Unveiled
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has met with the architects employed to design the Middletown Centre for Autism in Co Armagh. Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: "Middletown is a very exciting project.
'State-Of-The-Art' Armagh Autism Centre Unveiled
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has met with the architects employed to design the Middletown Centre for Autism in Co Armagh. Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: "Middletown is a very exciting project.
14 September 2004
Governments purchase site for autism centre
A joint venture between the British and Irish governments has seen the purchase of a new site for the development of a centre of excellence for autism in Northern Ireland.
Governments purchase site for autism centre
A joint venture between the British and Irish governments has seen the purchase of a new site for the development of a centre of excellence for autism in Northern Ireland.
23 June 2022
No School Places For 300 Children With Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has called on the Education Minister and the Education Authority (EA) to ensure children with special educational needs and their families have certainty over school places for September. MLA Pat Sheehan made the call after a report revealed that 300 children with special educational needs are without a school place for September.
No School Places For 300 Children With Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has called on the Education Minister and the Education Authority (EA) to ensure children with special educational needs and their families have certainty over school places for September. MLA Pat Sheehan made the call after a report revealed that 300 children with special educational needs are without a school place for September.
17 April 2002
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
