Gerry Carroll: "I welcome the U-turn on special school summer schemes, but this fiasco should never have happened in the first place," Gerry Carroll said.
"Families of children with additional needs and disabilities were thrown into a state of panic and despair overnight. Parents lay awake not knowing how they would cope this summer. That is completely unacceptable. These families already face enormous daily pressures. Those responsible for this shambles added to that burden without a second thought."
"Nursing support was apparently impossible on Thursday and found within 24 hours on Friday. Who made the original decision to cancel, and why were families treated as an afterthought? Children with additional needs and their families deserve far better than to be used as pawns in a political games."
"This reversal is a testament to the power of families who refused to accept this decision lying down. Their anger, and their determination forced those in power to act."