WELB agrees to provide summer scheme

At their respective monthly meetings held on June 30, 2010, Board Members of the Western (WELB) and Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) gave consideration to concerns that had been expressed regarding the recent adjustments to their Special School Summer Scheme.

Members acknowledged the difficulties the withdrawal of transport presented to those involved and both Boards (WELB and SELB) consequently agreed to provide transport to and from the Scheme for those parents who wish to avail of it during this year.

As a result of the decisions taken at the Board meeting, the Special School Summer Schemes in the SELB and WELB areas were harmonised with the provision in the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) and South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) areas.

Following further discussions involving the Education Minister and senior Department of Education officials, it has been decided that the Special School Summer Scheme will be run for two weeks this year in both the SELB and WELB areas, with transport provided.

Both Boards continue to emphasise the responsibility placed upon them to live within their budgets. This, combined with the lateness of their allocations has created unprecedented pressures.

The SELB and WELB hope that the public understand the challenges of finding the very significant savings which will have to be implemented across services.