Special needs youngsters hoping to spend this year's summer vacation at camp could have their dreams shattered because of Government incompetence.

And newly appointed Education Minister Milton Scott has been accused of "covering his back'' when quizzed about the future of this year's programme.

The Royal Gazette can reveal that, with registrations for camp expected to be in next week, the whole project could be in jeopardy because of a lack of cash and bad organisation between Government departments.

Although the Ministry of Youth and Sport has budgeted and is organising this summer's event for mainstream youngsters, the Department of Education is usually responsible for organising camps for children with special needs.

But just two months ago civil servants in the Ministry for Youth and Sport were ordered to prepare camps for both sets of youngsters because Education chiefs did not have the cash.

Youth and Sports summer camp coordinator Norbert Simons said: "The Ministry of Education normally runs the special needs programme, but what's happened is this year they didn't have the funds to run it.

"It's only been in the last two weeks that the The Ministry of Education said to us that we have to do it this year.

"I would really like to see it happen, but at this late stage we don't have the knowledge or the expertise -- and we're not even in a position to finance it.'' Special kids miss out -- that we're not in a position to do anything about it and they should contact the Education Department.'' Last night Mr. Scott denied that the Education Ministry did not have the cash to fund this year's programme, but instead insisted that the problem lay in finding enough staff to supervise the camps.

"The Government will provide funding for it, but it's a case of getting the staff,'' Mr. Scott said.

"We are making every effort to get those staff, but bear in mind that some individuals have been working all year round and they may not be able to work in the summer camps.

"We are going to ensure that there's a summer day camp for all children. We are a Government of inclusion, not exclusion. What we will do is get information out to parents and they will be able to phone up to ensure that their children are enrolled.'' Despite the Minister's claims, Mr. Simons insisted that his department had been given responsibility for special needs children and that, because the decision had been made just a few weeks ago, funding was unavailable.

And further doubt has been poured on the Minister's claims by two women -- a parent of a special needs child and a paraprofessional who cares for special needs youngsters during term time.

The parent, who does not wish to be identified, insisted that when she contacted the Department of Education, she was told by Special Needs Education Officer Karen Simons-Williams that the department had nothing to do with summer camps this year. The parent was instead deferred to the Department of Youth and Sport. Last night Ms Simons-Williams refused to discuss the matter when questioned by The Royal Gazette .

And a paraprofessional willing to work this summer claimed that Government had done nothing to recruit staff to man the camps.

When her supervisor contacted the Education Department to find out when application forms to staff would be sent out, she too was referred to the other Ministry.

"I can't believe what Milton Scott is saying,'' the paraprofessional said.

"They usually send out forms to everyone each year asking who wants to work during the summer -- but so far this year they haven't been sent out.

"I know lots of people who want to work during the summer but when we go to the Ministry they tell us they have nothing to do with it. How can they say they're having a problem recruiting staff?'' The parent also accused Mr. Scott of "covering his back''.

"No one wants to deal with it because our children are just too much trouble and everyone's passing the buck,'' she said.

"They're just throwing our children away and it's disgusting.'' Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith also rounded on his opposite number.

"The PLP Government should be ashamed of abandoning the programme that means so much to a number of young people and to do so without warning or explanation is reprehensible,'' Mr. Smith said.

"They claim to be sympathetic and empathetic to students with special needs yet they cancel the activities that help those same children develop. In public service action speaks louder than words.'' EDUCATION ED