Facilitators for disabled children in private schools

The N.C.W. has been concerned over the issue of fees for facilitators paid by parents who have children with disabilities attending private/independent schools. The issue has been raised again recently by Lino Spiteri in 'Talking Point' (The Times, April 9).

While Budget 2007 supports these families through a family benefit for all and state-paid NI credits for four years for parents who take a career break to look after these children, this is far from adequate to sustain payment for fees required for the services of facilitators.

Although choice of school is a private matter, these parents are already burdened with very exorbitant school fees, which would otherwise be paid from state coffers.

All disabled children should have equal access to education without discrimination and therefore the forthcoming Budget 2008 should include state-paid fees for facilitators in these schools in line with state and Church schools.