Minister Foley and Minister Higgins announce expanded therapeutic supports
On World Down Syndrome Day, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins announce expanded specialist therapeutic services for people with Down syndrome across Ireland.
Glór – Voices for Life is a new partnership that will deliver expanded specialist therapeutic services across Ireland — including Early Intervention, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. This new partnership brings together the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Down Syndrome Ireland, The Down Syndrome Centre Dublin, the Down Syndrome Centre Cork, Hub 21 and the HSE.
Services will begin immediately and will be delivered on a phased national basis to expand access to therapeutic supports for people with Down syndrome regardless of where they live. This includes an investment in the expansion of current services provided in the Dublin region by The Down Syndrome Centre, and nationally through Down Syndrome Ireland.
The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said
“The provision of expanded therapeutic services through the new Glór partnership demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that people with Down syndrome can thrive. For the first time in Ireland, the initiative formally recognises that people with Down syndrome have distinctive developmental and therapeutic needs that require specialist support from early childhood through adulthood and ageing.”
Glór – Voices for Life, was launched today at Dublin Zoo. The event was attended by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins.
Speaking at the launch of Glór Minister Higgins said:
“Ensuring that people with Down syndrome can access the supports they need to participate fully in education, employment and community life is a priority for Government. The GLÓR – Voices for Life partnership represents an important step in strengthening specialist therapeutic expertise and improving access to communication and therapeutic supports across Ireland.”
Aoife O’Donohue, HSE Assistant National Director for Disability Transformation and Coordination, added:
“Partnerships between specialist organisations and public services play an important role in ensuring that people receive the right support at the right time. Initiatives such as GLÓR – Voices for Life help build the knowledge and capacity required to support people with Down syndrome across their lives.”
Aidan Stacey, CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland said:
“Communication lies at the heart of independence for people with Down syndrome, and Speech and Language Therapy plays a critical role in supporting this development. For many years families have told us that access to specialist therapeutic supports — particularly Speech and Language Therapy — is one of the most important supports their children and family members need.
Peter Wilson, Chair of The Down Syndrome Centre commented:
“Families of people with Down syndrome know that development is supported through a wide range of therapeutic interventions across childhood and adulthood. The GLÓR – Voices for Life partnership recognises the importance of delivering coordinated therapeutic supports so that individuals with Down syndrome can develop their skills, confidence and independence throughout their lives.”
ENDS
FAQ & additional queries
1. What is being announced on Saturday March 21?
We are announcing a new national partnership, Glór: Communication for Life, which aims to improve access to essential therapeutic supports for people with Down syndrome across Ireland. This is being developed in partnership with the HSE and other organisations, and is part of our new national strategy
2. What does this mean for my child / family member?
This is about improving access to therapies such as speech and language therapy and wider clinical supports over time. The goal is to ensure that people with Down syndrome can access the right supports, at the right time, regardless of where they live.
3. Will my child get services immediately?
Not immediately in all areas. This is the beginning of a national rollout. Some services will expand quickly, while others will be phased in. We will share more detail on timelines and access as the programme progresses.
4. How will services be delivered?
Services will be delivered through a coordinated model involving Down Syndrome Ireland, the Down Syndrome Centre, regional partners, and the HSE. This will include a mix of in-person, outreach, and remote supports, depending on location and need.
5. Will this replace HSE services?
No. This is designed to work in partnership with the HSE, strengthening and expanding overall capacity. It is about improving access and reducing waiting times, not replacing existing services.
6. Who is eligible?
The intention is to provide supports for people with Down syndrome across the lifespan—from early years through to adulthood. Further details on access pathways will be shared following the launch.
7. How do I access the service?
Full information on how to access services will be shared after the announcement. This will likely include referral pathways through Down Syndrome Ireland and coordination with existing HSE services.
8. Will there be services in my area?
A key focus of this initiative is to address gaps in underserved areas, including rural regions. Services will be expanded through a regional model to improve national coverage over time.
9. Will I still need to fundraise for therapy?
The aim of this initiative is to reduce reliance on families fundraising for essential therapies by securing funded, sustainable service provision. However, as services roll out, there may still be some variation in access in the short term.
11. Why is this happening now?
This builds on many years of advocacy by families and reflects growing recognition at national level that current service provision is not meeting need. It also aligns with Government policy commitments to improve access to disability services.
12. Is this fully funded by the Government?
This initiative involves funding in partnership with the HSE. It represents an important step towards sustainable, long-term service provision, with further development expected over time.
13. What difference will this make?
Over time, this should mean:
Shorter waiting times
More consistent access across the country
Better support at key developmental stages
Reduced pressure on families
14. What happens next?
Following Saturday’s announcement:
Full details will be shared on our website
Updates will be provided through branches and communications
Implementation will begin on a phased basis
15. How can I stay informed?
Please:
Follow our social media channels
Check our website regularly
Stay in touch with your local
Additional Questions you may have.
1. Why has it taken so long to get to this point?
Families are right to ask this. For decades, services have not kept pace with need, despite clear policy commitments. What has changed now is a combination of sustained advocacy, stronger policy alignment, and a focused effort to deliver a partnership model with the CDNTs. This announcement reflects both long-term pressure and recent, intensive work to move from policy to action.
2. Is this just another announcement, or will anything actually change?
This is not a policy statement—it is a funded service model with defined staffing and delivery structures. The difference here is that it is tied to implementation, with clinical posts, regional coverage, and partnership with the HSE already built into the plan. While rollout will take time, this represents a shift from aspiration to delivery.
3. Will this actually reduce waiting lists?
Yes—that is a core objective. By increasing clinical capacity and delivering services through a coordinated partnership model, Glór is designed to reduce waiting times and increase access, particularly in areas currently underserved. It will not eliminate waiting lists overnight, but it will begin to address them in a structured and measurable way.
4. Why are services still not guaranteed immediately for every family?
Because the current system has significant capacity gaps, and scaling services nationally requires recruitment, infrastructure, and coordination. This initiative is designed to build that capacity sustainably, rather than offering a short-term or uneven solution. Phased rollout ensures that services can be delivered safely and effectively.
5. How do we know this won’t fall apart due to lack of funding?
A key strength of this model is that it is aligned with Government policy and delivered in partnership with the HSE, rather than operating outside the system. That creates a stronger foundation for sustainability. However, continued progress will depend on ongoing State investment, and advocacy will remain critical.
6. Why should families trust this when they’ve had to fundraise for years?
That frustration is completely valid. Families have carried far too much of the burden. This initiative is a direct response to that reality—it is specifically designed to reduce reliance on fundraising for essential therapies and move towards a funded, equitable model. Trust will ultimately be built through delivery, not words.
7. Is this replacing what branches currently provide?
No. Branches have been essential in filling gaps, and that work is recognised. This initiative aims to strengthen and standardise provision, so that access is no longer dependent on local capacity alone. Over time, it should reduce pressure on branches rather than replace their role.
8. Will rural areas actually benefit, or will services stay Dublin-focused?
Addressing geographic inequity is a central part of this model. The introduction of a regional hub and outreach structure is specifically designed to extend services into underserved areas, including rural regions that have historically had little or no access.
9. How is this different from existing HSE services?
This model is designed to work alongside and strengthen HSE services, not duplicate them. It increases capacity, provides specialist expertise in Down syndrome, and supports more timely intervention. It is a partnership approach to delivering on existing policy commitments.
10. Will adults be included, or is this just for children again?
This is explicitly a lifespan model, covering children, young people, and adults. That is a significant shift, recognising that communication and support needs do not end at childhood.
11. What accountability is there if this doesn’t deliver?
This model includes structured delivery, defined roles, and measurable outcomes. As part of a partnership with the HSE, it will be subject to reporting, oversight, and performance expectations. Down Syndrome Ireland will also continue to advocate strongly on behalf of members to ensure commitments are met.
12. Is this enough to meet demand?
No single initiative will resolve all unmet need immediately. However, this is a substantial and necessary step that significantly increases capacity and creates a framework for continued expansion. It moves the system in the right direction in a meaningful way.
13. What happens if recruitment of therapists is difficult?
Recruitment is a known challenge across the sector. This model has been designed to make roles more attractive through regional structures, defined caseloads, and clearer career pathways. While challenges may arise, the model is built with sustainability in mind.
14. Why now—what has changed politically?
As highlighted in our recent consultation meetings, there is increased national recognition that disability services require urgent improvement, supported by policy commitments and capacity reviews. This initiative aligns directly with those priorities and represents an opportunity to translate them into action.
15. What should members realistically expect over the next year?
Members should expect:
Gradual expansion of services
Improved access in some areas more quickly than others
Clear communication on how to access supports
Continued advocacy to build on this foundation