Glór – Voices for Life
Glór is a groundbreaking new partnership that will significantly expand speech and language therapy services for people with Down syndrome across Ireland. Launching on July 1st 2026, this national partnership will bring together Down Syndrome Ireland, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, The Down Syndrome Centre Dublin, the Down Syndrome Centre Cork, Hub 21, Down Syndrome Centre Midlands and the HSE.
For the first time in Ireland, this initiative formally recognises that people with Down syndrome have distinctive developmental and therapeutic needs. It is designed to deliver expanded, specialist supports from early childhood all the way through adulthood, including early Intervention and speech and language therapy. Services will be rolled out on a phased national basis, ensuring increased access to vital therapeutic supports across Ireland.
Please find a referral form below where you can register your interest in accessing Speech and Language Therapy Support, if you are not already attending speech and language therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
When will the Glór service begin?
The Glór service will commence on 1 July 2026.
Will I have to pay for Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services?
No. From 1 July 2026, SLT services provided through Down Syndrome Ireland will be fully funded, and there will be no charge to parents or families.
Who provides the SLT service?
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) will deliver services through Down Syndrome Ireland funded by the HSE under the Glór incentive.
What types of support will my child or family member receive?
SLT support is designed to meet individual needs across the lifespan. This may include one-to-one sessions, group therapy, parent training, workshops, and support in educational, employment, and community settings.
How do we access SLT services?
If you are already reveiving SLT you do not need to take any further action.
For new referrals, there will be a central online referral system, where a referral can be easily made through the website. You can find the referral system here.
Once a referral is submitted, it will be reviewed by administration in the National Office. You will receive a letter confirming that we have received your referral, along with a case history form and consent forms to complete.
Our administration team will then let the Speech and Language Therapist in your local branch know about the referral and will add your child’s name to our system (Cliniko).
If you are already availing speech and language therapy through Down Syndrome Ireland, there is no need to re-refer.
Where will therapy sessions take place?
Sessions will take place in Down Syndrome Ireland centres where suitable facilities are available. In some instances, alternative locations may be arranged in partnership with local providers or the HSE.
What happens if there is no therapist available in our area?
Every effort will be made to recruit SLTs to all areas. Where there are vacancies, interim supports such as outreach clinics or telehealth services may be provided.
Who plans and schedules appointments?
Your SLT will manage their own schedule and arrange appointments directly with you. All scheduling is managed through the Cliniko system.
How are therapy records and information stored?
All records and clinical notes are securely stored using the Cliniko system. Where paper records exist, these will be transitioned to digital formats where possible.
Will my child lose access to HSE services if they attend Down Syndrome Ireland SLT sessions?
No. Down Syndrome Ireland services are designed to work alongside and collaboratively with Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) and Primary Care services.
Can my child attend more than one service at the same time?
Members who are currently receiving speech and language therapy through another Down syndrome specific community-based service (e.g., Down Syndrome Centre or Hub 21) are unable to avail of concurrent services from Down Syndrome Ireland. However, services may be coordinated between Down Syndrome Ireland and other providers where appropriate to ensure the best outcome.
What happens if we need to cancel an appointment?
If you need to cancel an appointment, you should notify your SLT as early as possible. Repeated cancellations or non-attendance may affect ongoing access to the service and could result in discharge, with re-referral required.
Who can I contact if I have concerns about the service?
If you have any concerns, you can raise these with your SLT in the first instance or contact the Head or Deputy Head of SLT through Down Syndrome Ireland’s National Office. All concerns will be managed in line with Down Syndrome Ireland policies and procedures.
Patricia Hall
Head of Speech and Language Therapy Programmes, Down Syndrome Ireland
Patriciahall@downsyndrome.ie
Alisha Gagnon
Deputy Head of Speech and Language Programmes, Down Syndrome Ireland
Alishagagnon@downsyndrome.ie
Will more staff like Speech and Language Therapist Assistants (SLTAs) be recruited in the future?
The priority is to establish a strong and sustainable SLT service nationwide. As services develop, additional staff, including SLTAs, may be recruited where appropriate and where adequate supervision can be provided.