North and south plans to build centre for children with autism

The education ministers, north and south of the border, have launched plans to build the first ever all-Ireland centre of excellence for children with autism.

The jointly-funded venture launched by Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness and Irish Education and Science Minister Michael Woods on Thursday April 11, will see an all-Ireland centre of excellence for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) being built in County Armagh over the next year and a half.

Making the announcement, Minister Woods said the joint venture was “an historic development for Irish Education”.

“We have reached an important milestone in North/South Co-operation. The establishment of a centre of excellence for children with ASD is a hugely significant and innovative development which will be welcomed by all who know and care for a child or young person with autistic spectrum disorders.”

Mr McGuinness added: “Autism is a growing area of concern throughout the island of Ireland. The development of this centre represents a great opportunity to allow us to develop guidance on best practice.

“Autism is a very particular type of disorder. This centre will allow all the professionals from both health and education sectors to develop expertise which can be shared more widely.

“These children deserve special consideration in their care and personal development. I can think of no more appropriate beneficiaries of co-operation between north and south than our children who have special educational needs”.

The departments have reached agreement with the St Louis Order for the acquisition of the former St Joseph’s Adolescent Centre in Middletown, Co Armagh, in which to site the centre.

The purchase of St Joseph’s will be jointly funded by both departments, and is anticipated to open its doors in Autumn 2003.

The campus comprises an education centre, residential accommodation, which can be used for staff, children on referral and their parents, swimming pool, gym, and extensive landscaped grounds. (AMcE)