Despair as plug pulled on Ican Centre

Margaret Hannigan of the Ican Centre, described the news as a 'crazy decision.'

"The commissioners are sticking to their guns and confirmed the closure of Ican," she said. "A very disappointing outcome for all.

"Those who worked so hard during the campaign and who were committed to Ican. The commissioners told those at the meeting that they were unable to provide funding for Ican as we are a non statutory centre.

"While at present they are unable to provide funding for statutory bodies. The bottom line was that they need to save money now - long term expenditure is not considered.

"Jeffrey Donaldson was at the meeting and he is going to call an urgent meeting with Caitriona Ruane to ask her to encourage the commissioners on this matter. He has been very supportive throughout the campaign and won't give up lightly.

"It is crazy that this decision can be happening and destroying a lifeline for so many children and their parents."

I Can, based at Ballynahinch Primary School, provides integrated therapy and education to 20 pre-school pupils - most of whom are from the Lisburn area - who have significant communication and speech difficulties.

It also offers training to staff at nurseries and pre-school groups in the Down and Lisburn area who work with similarly disadvantaged youngsters.

85,000 is needed to fund the unit each year and this is the fourth successive year that the facility's future has hung in the balance, reflecting cuts made in the special needs budget.

Staffed by a specialist teacher, speech and language therapist, assistant and part time secretary, the centre was established in the autumn of 2000 with funding for its first two years being provided by the national charity, I CAN.

Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan appealed for direct intervention for the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to save the Ican unit.

At the assembly on Monday Mr Givan urged the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to take action after a decision was made by commissioners at the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

Mr Givan urged the Minister to change the current regulation and take action against the commissioners, who he said were put in place under direct rule and accountable to no-one.

"The Minister, by changing the regulation, can take direct action," he said during the debate. "Will she change the current arrangement whereby a child is allocated a preschool place, money goes to that nursery school, but the child does not attend because he or she goes to the I CAN facility? The money does not follow the child. At the meeting, the commissioner said that the Minister could save the facility if she were to change the rules so that the money followed the child. I appeal to the Minister to change the rules so that those children can get their opportunity."

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots has asked for what he described as a 'firm and proper hearing' and meet with the new chairman of the SEELB Commissioner to discuss the Ican Centre, after the former chairman stepped down.

His comments come after he called for the resignation of chairman Douglas Osler when he met with the Permanent Secretary and Minister for Educaiton Caitriona Ruane last week.

Days before he, along with parents and and local politicians, met with the chairman to discuss the Ican Centre.

"I was appalled with his attitude during the meeting," said Mr Poots.

"Those at the unit were described as a 'privileged few.' In my opinion anyone who has a disability and has an inability to communicate is not privileged.

"The work that is done at the Ican Centre with its early intervention is invaluable. The decision to close it is penny wise pound foolish in my opnion."