Lack of volunteers could hit summer special needs programme

It is understood that the programme for 10,000 children, which seeks to include those with Down syndrome, is highly reliant on volunteers coming forward and there is a concern not enough have signalled a willingness to do so.

Joe McHugh, the Education Minister, is to bring a memo to Cabinet for approval for the summer programme.

By Daniel McConnell and Juno McEnroe

The Government’s plan to offer a summer programme for up to 10,000 children with special needs “may not be fully possible” because of a lack of assistants to provide the care, ministers have warned.