Down Syndrome Ireland appeared in front of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills as part of our ‘Please Don’t Leave Us Behind’ education campaign.
You can read about our Please Don’t Leave Us Behind campaign here
Our Education Officer Fidelma Brady appeared alongside representatives from the Department of Education and Skills, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, The Association of Secondary Teachers and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.
We appeared in front of the Committee to present on:
1) The withdrawal of cooperation by post-primary Teachers’ Unions in creating and implementing individualised education plans for students with Down syndrome, due to a dispute with the Department of Education and Skills on resourcing and training.
2) Inequality of access to an extended school year (July Provision) for students with Down syndrome.
You can access Down Syndrome Ireland’s Submission to the Committee here.
You can access a full report on the Committee meeting here.
We were very pleased with the level of cross-party support for the issues we raised by the TDs and Senators who attended, and we would like to acknowledge and thank the Committee for inviting us to appear.
We are now seeking a further meeting with the Minister for Education to outline our concerns and to ensure that children with Down syndrome are provided with an effective education that best suits their needs.
We are also calling on the Department of Education and Skills to involve Down Syndrome Ireland in all future special education consultations.
We will keep you informed of our progress.
