Ford on the buses at Riverside School

12.00.00am GMT Mon 25th Mar 2002

South Antrim Assembly member David Ford has said there must be more effective funding for facilities for young people with learning disabilities.

The Alliance Party leader was speaking after he visited Riverside School last Friday, where he viewed a new bus provided for the school by BBC Children in Need.

Mr Ford, who met staff and parent representatives at the school, said he had been very impressed by the good work being done for youths with learning disabilities.

Mr Ford said: "The bus provided by Children in Need is a real boost for the pupils at Riverside, and will be appreciated by all those with connections to the school. The young people who go there deserve the best education possible, and I had a very useful discussion with Principal Rankin and parents' representatives about the school's needs."

"It is clear there is great concern over facilities for young people with learning disabilities when they reach the age of 19. I have already quizzed Ministers McGuinness and de Brun about this matter, but Homefirst does need an injection of funding to provide better facilities."

ENDS. NB: A pic was taken by a Guardian photographer.