Gaston exposes the spin on SEN summer scheme scandal

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston

The political fallout over Northern Ireland’s special educational needs summer schemes deepened today after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston launched a blistering attack in the Assembly, accusing ministers and officials of failing some of the most vulnerable children in society.

In a strongly worded address, the North Antrim MLA said the decision to cancel the schemes — before a subsequent reversal — was “not simply an administrative mis-step” but “a failure of the most vulnerable children in our society”.

The remarks come after days of intense public anger, mounting pressure from families, and a dramatic U-turn over the future of the much-relied-upon summer provision for children with special educational needs.

For many families across Ballymena and beyond, the schemes are seen not as an optional extra, but as an essential support during the summer months — offering routine, specialist care and much-needed respite.

‘A lifeline for families’

Speaking in the chamber, Mr Gaston said the controversy had exposed what he described as political theatre at the highest level.

“Summer schemes for children with special educational needs are not an optional extra.

“They are, for many families, a lifeline.

“Not something which families should have to go onto the airwaves to plead for.”

He also criticised the timing of the original announcement, saying it was made just before the Assembly recess and suggesting it had been deliberately allowed to pass with minimal scrutiny.

“The EA tried to drop this announcement when the Assembly was going on holiday.

“So don’t try to tell me this whole thing doesn’t stink.”

The TUV representative went further, alleging the episode had become a “political game”, with vulnerable children and their families caught in the middle.

“This whole sorry episode boils down to nothing more than a political game, shamelessly using the most vulnerable in our society and their families as pawns.”

Pressure builds over ministerial accountability

A central theme of Gaston’s intervention was accountability.

He directly challenged both Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Education Minister Paul Givan, demanding clarity on how the cancellation decision was allowed to happen.

“The Ministers responsible must set out clearly how this situation arose, what options were considered, and why it took public pressure to secure a reversal.”

He posed two stark questions to the chamber:

• Did ministers not know?

• Or did they not care?

Gaston argued that either explanation would raise serious concerns about the operation of both departments.

“But the blunt truth for Mr Nesbitt and Mr Givan is — the answer to why we are here today is contained in an affirmative response to one of those two questions.”

Wider concern for local families

The row has resonated strongly with families across North Antrim, where many parents had voiced distress at the prospect of losing the summer support their children depend on.

The schemes provide structure and continuity for children with complex needs while also offering parents and carers essential support during the school holiday period.

The subsequent reversal has been welcomed, but today’s Assembly debate made clear that many questions remain over how the situation escalated to crisis point.

Gaston warned that while the U-turn had brought relief, it should not allow ministers to avoid scrutiny.

“Yes there has been a U turn and of course it is welcome, but the relief that it brings must not obscure the question that hangs over this entire episode.

“So how did we get here in the first place?”

Call for future SEN funding protection

Looking ahead, the North Antrim MLA also called for future funding commitments to be ringfenced for SEN provision in Northern Ireland.

He said when Northern Ireland receives its share of the £380 million allocated from Whitehall for special education in England, the money must be directed towards local SEN services.

“Anything else will be a failure to the most vulnerable children in our society.”

The comments are likely to add further pressure on Stormont ministers as families seek assurances that a similar crisis will not be repeated.

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At a glance

• Timothy Gaston MLA criticised the handling of the SEN summer schemes controversy in the Assembly

• He said cancelling the schemes was a failure of vulnerable children and their families

• The schemes were later reinstated following public and political pressure

• Questions have been raised over the roles of the Health and Education departments

• Gaston demanded accountability from Ministers Mike Nesbitt and Paul Givan

• He warned vulnerable children must never again be caught in political disputes

• Calls were also made for future SEN funding to be protected in Northern Ireland