Speaking this week after Sinn Féin MLA Claire McGill and Councillor Michaela Boyle met Department of Health officials in Strabane to discuss the "transition period" from Knockavoe Special School to Glenside Adult Training Centre, the mother of Leah Loughrey (19) said that her daughter may be forced to travel to Lisburn for her needs to be adhered to in the same way as her previous school, Knockavoe.

Pamela Loughrey, of Ballycolman Estate said: "Leah has been forced to leave Knockavoe because of red tape, the school themselves are happy to keep her there as she has made fantastic progress since starting there a year and a half ago but the education and health departments are not willing to provide the funding to keep her there."

Pamela said that the current provision for disabled adults in Strabane, Glenside Adult learning Centre was "unsuitable" for Leah as it provided care for a older adults with less severe disabilities.

"A few months ago Leah was happy at Knockavoe and she could come home for a couple of hours everyday where we could care for her.

"At the minute the only other facility in Northern Ireland that can care for her needs in the same way as Knockavoe is in Lisburn and there is no guarantee that she will even get a place in it," she said.

Great deal of stress

The move would cause both Leah and her family a "great deal of stress" according to local councillor Micheala Boyle who has been lobbying Health Minister Michael McGimpsey on behalf of her family.

Leah was left disabled as a result of a road traffic accident several years ago.

Councillor Boyle said that she met with Trevor Millar, Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at the Western Health Trust and fellow team member Mr. Brian Mc Garvey to discuss issues of concern relating to shortcomings in adult special needs provision when they turn 18 years old.

"It is often the case that parents of these young adults with special needs are having to fight battles with the Department of Health to ensure that the necessary finance and accommodation is in place to ensure the individual transition plans are acted upon.

"The Department of Health officials said that they would take these issues on board and acknowledged the need for improved clarity and communication with parents," Colr. Boyle said.

However, Colr. Boyle reaffirmed her commitment to Leah's plight and assured her family that she would not rest until she met with the Health Minister and Leah's place at Knockavoe was secure.

"When a child with special needs turns 18, the responsibility from education provision shifts to health provision. Leah is in this transition stage where it is Mr. McGimspey's department who now hold the responsibility for her care.

'Leaps and bounds'

"I can promise you that if I do nothing else this year, I hope that child gets to stay on at Knockavoe.