Givan asks for cancellation of special school summer schemes to be ‘revisited’

Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed he has asked for a decision to cancel summer schemes at special schools in Northern Ireland to be revisited.

It comes as MLAs look set to be recalled from their Easter break following widespread criticism of the decision.

The Alliance Party has tabled a recall motion at the Assembly after describing the move as “nothing short of disgraceful”.

It emerged on Thursday that the schemes, which provide support for children with additional needs over the summer, would not go ahead in 2026 over concerns about the healthcare available for pupils.

An Assembly committee heard on Thursday that families are “spitting fire” over the decision.

The Education Authority (EA) said it had attempted to avoid the move through repeated engagement with the Department of Health.

Following a meeting with the EA on Friday, Mr Givan said: “Decisions regarding the operation of summer schemes in special schools rests with the EA.

“However, given the profound impact that the cancellation of these schemes will have on children, young people and their families, I have asked the EA to engage further with the Department of Health to review the position and to explore all possible avenues to provide summer schemes for as many children as possible.

“If the Department of Health can provide the necessary clinical and nursing support, the Education Authority has confirmed that it stands ready to deliver summer schemes this year.

“Further engagement will also be required with special school leaders.”

He added: “Our shared objective is to ensure that children with the most complex needs are not left without vital support and that families have confidence in the services designed to assist them.”

Mr Givan told the BBC: “I have been in engagement with EA, the chief executive this morning, I am asking them to revisit this issue, I am asking them to re-engage with the Department of Health.

“I recognise there is a real-world consequence that is being felt out there in the community.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said it was “simply unthinkable that young people themselves should lose out on the enjoyment of the summer school environment”.

He continued: “I have therefore tasked the Permanent Secretary to urgently explore how a suitable and appropriate provision could be put in place.”

Thirty MLAs need to support the Alliance motion for the Assembly to be recalled and several parties have already indicated they will back it.

Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said: “The decision to suspend summer schemes at special schools is nothing short of disgraceful.

“That this announcement was dropped as the Assembly enters Easter recess only adds insult to injury.

“Once again, it is the most vulnerable children who are paying the price for failure and inaction.

“Parents are being left abandoned, scrambling for alternatives that simply do not exist.

“The response from the Education and Health Ministers has been woefully inadequate.”

Mr Tennyson said the ministers needed to provide answers to the Assembly.

Sinn Fein MLA Cathy Mason confirmed her party would be supporting the Alliance motion.

She said: “The decision to stop these schemes is deplorable and has caused unnecessary angst among parents and vulnerable children who rely heavily on this lifeline.

“The political blame game between the DUP and UUP ministers in the aftermath is disgraceful and only fuels further concern and confusion.

“Families deserve better.”

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said the summer schemes “provide vital structure, care and respite”.

He said: “For the EA to make this announcement on the eve of the Easter recess shows a clear and deliberate lack of accountability.”

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the decision to cancel special school summer schemes has “rightly caused anger among families across Northern Ireland”.

He added: “These schemes are not a luxury — they are a lifeline, providing vital support for children with complex needs and essential respite for parents.

“Both the Education and Health Ministers owe the public an explanation.

“As has already been highlighted, vulnerable children have effectively been left in the lurch as a result of what appears to be a failure of coordination between departments.

“It is simply not acceptable that, with months still to go before the summer, Stormont has allowed this provision to collapse without a clear alternative in place.”

On Thursday, the EA said it had “made clear” that on-site nursing cover would be required for summer schemes to be held safely.

However, the authority said the Department of Health had confirmed this will not be available.

In a statement, the Education Authority said: “This decision has been taken solely on safety grounds.

“We deeply regret it and fully understand that it will be very distressing for children and parents.”

Speaking later, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said contingency plans were being examined.