This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/7502529.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cash plea for disabled children Cash plea for disabled children
(1 day later)
Disabled children risk being failed by the Welsh Assembly Government if it does not increase funding by millions of pounds, campaigners claim.Disabled children risk being failed by the Welsh Assembly Government if it does not increase funding by millions of pounds, campaigners claim.
About £21m was given to the assembly government last year when the UK government decided to increase spending on disabled children in England.About £21m was given to the assembly government last year when the UK government decided to increase spending on disabled children in England.
However, ministers in Cardiff say they do not have to follow suit.However, ministers in Cardiff say they do not have to follow suit.
The assembly government said it was already spending a lot on helping disabled youngsters and would do more.The assembly government said it was already spending a lot on helping disabled youngsters and would do more.
Organisations have banded together under the campaign name Disabled Children Matter Wales to try to put pressure on ministers in Cardiff as they begin the process of drawing up this autumn's assembly government budget.Organisations have banded together under the campaign name Disabled Children Matter Wales to try to put pressure on ministers in Cardiff as they begin the process of drawing up this autumn's assembly government budget.
It is supported by a number charities and voluntary organisations across Wales.It is supported by a number charities and voluntary organisations across Wales.
Keith Bowen from the campaign told Sunday's BBC's Politics Show in Wales: "We think that an injection of cash (is needed) of, say £5m raising up to £10m, over two years or doubling investment in short breaks for families from £1.5m to £3m and up to £6m as well as investing in referral schemes to enable toddlers to access nurseries." We've had AMs from all political persuasions and they go: wow, this is great because it's the only club of its type in Wales and then we step back and think OK, is there any money going to arrive? And it doesn't John Rogers, Special Needs Activity Centre, Port TalbotKeith Bowen from the campaign told Sunday's BBC's Politics Show in Wales: "We think that an injection of cash (is needed) of, say £5m raising up to £10m, over two years or doubling investment in short breaks for families from £1.5m to £3m and up to £6m as well as investing in referral schemes to enable toddlers to access nurseries." We've had AMs from all political persuasions and they go: wow, this is great because it's the only club of its type in Wales and then we step back and think OK, is there any money going to arrive? And it doesn't John Rogers, Special Needs Activity Centre, Port Talbot
One such service is the Special Needs Activity Centre (SNAC) in Port Talbot which is one of the few centres in Wales where sometimes severely disabled children and their families can relax together.One such service is the Special Needs Activity Centre (SNAC) in Port Talbot which is one of the few centres in Wales where sometimes severely disabled children and their families can relax together.
Kirsty Harding, 16, who has autism, said SNAC was the only place she is allowed to socialise because of her disability. Nicola Spooner, who has a son with severe autism also described how significant the centre was to her family.Kirsty Harding, 16, who has autism, said SNAC was the only place she is allowed to socialise because of her disability. Nicola Spooner, who has a son with severe autism also described how significant the centre was to her family.
"If SNAC were to close, I don't know how I'd cope. I can't take a severely autistic child out into crowds. There'd be nowhere I could take him and my daughter," she said."If SNAC were to close, I don't know how I'd cope. I can't take a severely autistic child out into crowds. There'd be nowhere I could take him and my daughter," she said.
'Charity handouts''Charity handouts'
But SNAC's president John Rogers said the centre barely scraped by on grants and charity handouts.But SNAC's president John Rogers said the centre barely scraped by on grants and charity handouts.
"We've had AMs from all political persuasions and they go: wow, this is great because it's the only club of its type in Wales and then we step back and think OK, is there any money going to arrive? And it doesn't.""We've had AMs from all political persuasions and they go: wow, this is great because it's the only club of its type in Wales and then we step back and think OK, is there any money going to arrive? And it doesn't."
In November 2007 most AMs backed a call for £21m to be safeguarded to support disabled children.In November 2007 most AMs backed a call for £21m to be safeguarded to support disabled children.
The figure was the equivalent of the sum being spent on such schemes in England over the next three years.The figure was the equivalent of the sum being spent on such schemes in England over the next three years.
Campaigners wanted the assembly government to ring-fence the money it received in extra funding from the UK Treasury as a direct effect of a spending increase in England.Campaigners wanted the assembly government to ring-fence the money it received in extra funding from the UK Treasury as a direct effect of a spending increase in England.
The Labour AM for Torfaen, Lynne Neagle, had threatened to amend this year's budget but backed down after reassurances from Education minister Jane Hutt.The Labour AM for Torfaen, Lynne Neagle, had threatened to amend this year's budget but backed down after reassurances from Education minister Jane Hutt.
Now Ms Neagle said she had been encouraged by positive signals from the minister but she told the Politics Show there must be money to back what she says is "goodwill."Now Ms Neagle said she had been encouraged by positive signals from the minister but she told the Politics Show there must be money to back what she says is "goodwill."
Ms Hutt told the programme she was listening to what the charities had to say and had already diverted £7m into services.Ms Hutt told the programme she was listening to what the charities had to say and had already diverted £7m into services.
She also pledged to do more but would not commit herself to specific figures.She also pledged to do more but would not commit herself to specific figures.
The Politics Show is on BBC1 Wales at 1200 BST on Sunday.The Politics Show is on BBC1 Wales at 1200 BST on Sunday.