News
You will find upcoming webinars and seminars here.
Your Child’s Rights: What Every Parent Needs to Know – May 20th
Solicitors Andrew Murnaghan and Patrick Kevans from KM Solicitors LLP will deliver practical legal guidance at this interactive webinar on Wednesday May 20th at 6pm.
The session will cover a wide range of key topics, including:
- The Assessment of Need process
- Delays by the HSE and available legal remedies
- When Assessment of Need reports are not in line with the law
- Making complaints to the Disability Complaints Office
- Expediting complaints through the HSE Complaints Office
- Complaint reports and court applications (no cost to the client)
- Understanding and reviewing Service Statements
- Accessing services to address a child’s needs and current gaps in statutory rights
- Complaints and requests relating to Service Statements
- School placements for children with special educational needs
- Domiciliary Care Allowance, including refusals and appeals
Andrew Murnaghan is a Partner at KM Solicitors LLP, specialising in a range of litigation and advisory areas including commercial disputes, defamation, contract law. He has particular expertise and interest in administrative law, with a strong focus on child, disability, and carers’ rights. Andrew began his legal career as a barrister in 2009, gaining extensive advocacy experience across both lower and superior courts. He transitioned to become a solicitor in 2018 and later co-founded KM Solicitors, bringing over 15 years of legal experience to his practice. He is also a member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association.
Patrick Kevans is a Partner at KM Solicitors LLP, with extensive experience in personal insolvency and bankruptcy law, debt collection, planning law, and commercial disputes. He also has specialist expertise in administrative law, particularly in the areas of education and social welfare law. Patrick began his legal career as a barrister in 2009, focusing on commercial litigation, before qualifying as a solicitor in 2018. He holds a BA in Economics and a postgraduate qualification in Economic Science from University College Dublin, as well as a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Honorable Society of the King’s Inns. He is a member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association.
This webinar will be on Zoom.
Please send in your questions in advance to GinaGrant@downsyndrome.ie
Understanding Loss Together: Grief and Down Syndrome with Dr Denis McGuire – May 21st
There will be a webinar on Thursday May 21st on Grief with Denis McGuire for people with Down syndrome.
This webinar will be at 6pm on Zoom.
You can read about the importance of grief for people with Down syndrome here.
Path 4: Higher Educations options for school leavers and adults with Down syndrome – May 25th
We will be joined by Gerard O’Carroll, Lecturer and Path 4 Coordinator at Munster Technological University for this webinar on Monday May 25th at 7pm.
Gerard O’Carroll will give an overview on the Path 4 programme, a higher education programme for adults with intellectual disabilities, offered in 11 universities nationwide.
We will be joined by an MTU student who will talk about their experience on the programme.
This webinar is suitable for students and adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, families and teachers.
Please submit questions before Friday 22nd May at 5pm to sinead@downsyndrome.ie
There are no upcoming seminars currently. This is updated regularly.
The DSI online educational seminars have been developed by three members of our Member Support Team – Nicola Hart (National Research and Support Specialist) and Fidelma Brady (Head of Education)
-
Health Passport Webinar
-
The Future’s Even Brighter – Further Developments in Down Syndrome Research 2026
-
The Future’s Even Brighter – Further Developments in Down Syndrome Research 2025
-
National Learning Network – Options for School Leavers and Adults
-
DSI and ETB Guidance Service Webinar
-
Navigating the Sensory Challenges of Christmas
-
Maths for Life Webinar 2025
-
NCSE/DSI Information Webinar 2025
-
Essential Planning for Primary and Post-Primary Schools
-
Communication Between Parents and Primary/Post-Primary Schools
-
Choosing a Post-Primary School
-
Choosing a Primary School
-
Choosing a school
-
Understanding, Changing and Teaching Behaviour at the Post-Primary Stage
-
Strategies to Promote Positive Behaviour in Young Adults
-
Mental Well Being
-
Introduction to Behaviour
-
Managing Vision & Hearing Issues
-
Language & Communication
-
Strategies and Supports for Children Transitioning to Mainstream Primary School
-
Using Numicon as a Resource in Teaching Numeracy
-
Numeracy Acquiring Basic Maths Skills
-
Accessing the Curriculum
-
Options & Pathways through Senior Cycle
-
Managing the Transition from Primary to Post Primary School
-
Pathway through Junior Cycle
-
Specific Learning Needs of the Student with Down syndrome
-
In-Class Behaviour Management
-
Literacy & Numeracy at Primary School
-
Post-Primary Student Information Presentation
-
Primary Student Information Presentation
-
Educational Programmes for Children with DS & ASD
-
Educational Programmes for Children with DS & ASD
-
Educational Programmes for Children with Ds & ASD
-
Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-
Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-
Managing Behaviours at Pre-School & Primary School Stages
-
Managing Behaviours at Post Primary & Young Adult Stages
The Department of Further Education and Training works towards making Ireland a country where there are inclusive and improved education opportunities and options for all school leavers and adults with Down syndrome.
One of our key goals is for school leavers and adults with Down syndrome to have the opportunities to reach their full potential. We provide information, advice and guidance to school leavers and adults with Down syndrome, their families, carers and education staff.
What is Further Education Training?
Further Education and Training (FET) covers any education and training after second-level education (post-primary) and up to third-level education (higher level education).
Useful links
Useful links on Further Education and Training
This website hosts a wide range of resources for students with Down syndrome and other disabilities, their families, carers and schools to support them in identifying post-school aspirations, choices and pathways to Further and Higher Education and Training, and to the world of work.
This booklet offers information on post-school Further Education options for school leavers and other adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities.
This website will help you find courses nationwide.
Useful links on Higher Education
This Easy Read booklet gives an overview of courses at universities and other Higher Education courses.
This booklet offers information on post-school Higher Education options for school leavers and other adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities.
Useful links on Rehab and Day Services
This booklet offers information on post-school Rehabilitative Training and Adult Day Services options for school leavers and other adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities.
This website offers information on training programmes and support services that the National Learning Network provides in 50 centres around the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
The end of formal schooling often marks the beginning of adulthood for many people, whether they have Down syndrome or not. It brings with it, new adventures, as well as new challenges, difficulties and uncertainties, as well as many questions.
Families may begin to look to the future, and ask questions about the best option for their son or daughter.
Many adults with Down syndrome are now leaving home, living independently with varying degrees of support, obtaining employment, forming relationships, and generally getting the most out of life.
One of our key goals is to create a society where school leavers and adults with Down syndrome have opportunities and options to reach their full potential.
Acknowledging the value of lifelong learning and access to quality education for adults is core to everything we do.
Below are some of our most common questions:
What are the options after post-primary?
- Talk your son/daughter about areas of interest
- Talk to the Career Guidance in your child’s school
- Talk to the HSE Disability Officer
- Contact the DSI Further Education and Training Department
My son/daughter didn’t do his/her Leaving Cert. Can they still go to college?
Yes. Not having a Leaving Certificate is not a barrier to going to college. There are options, depending on where you live. To find out what the options are, you can:
- Talk your son/daughter about areas of interest
- Talk the Career Guidance in your child’s school
- Talk to the HSE Disability Officer
- Contact the DSI Further Education and Training Department
Literacy Resources: Level 1 and 2 Resources
The Further Education and Training team have compiled lesson plans and resources on Padlet.
Media Literacy
College Preparation
Using Public Transport
DSI Work Skills Videos and Exercises
Sásta-nable Living
Transport Campaign
Down Syndrome Ireland works with our National Advisory Council (NAC) and Regional Advisory Councils to learn about how we can improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. They are a panel of adults with Down syndrome who advise DSI on how we can best support all people with Down syndrome. One of their top issues is transportation. Down Syndrome Ireland is actively working with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on a national transport campaign after listening to the needs of our NAC and our members.
MEET THE TEAM
Welcome to our Resources page. Here, you’ll find a wide range of helpful materials covering many aspects of life with Down syndrome. Whether you’re a parent, family member, educator, or healthcare professional, we’ve gathered information to support you and help individuals with Down syndrome thrive.
