Last minute reprieve for autistic pupils

PARENTS of autistic children who campaigned tirelessly to keep their youngsters in a special school yesterday gave a cautious welcome to a fresh offer from the country’s education chiefs.

Funds raised to educate nine youngsters attending St Catherine’s ABA School in Barnacoyle, Co Wicklow, were due to run out next week, leaving the children with nowhere to go.

Their parents, and up to 100 supporters, picketed the Dáil yesterday demanding funding to keep all nine in the pre-school that they have attended since September.