Additional Resources To Be Made Available To Support Children With Down Syndrome

I welcome the announcement by Minister Jan O'Sullivan today that Government has agreed, to allocate additional resources to schools to support children with Down Syndrome who are not already supported through the NCSE annual allocation process.

These interim allocations to support children with Down Syndrome are being made pending the introduction of a new allocation model for children with special educational needs.  Schools will receive 2.5 resource teacher hours per week for each qualifying child and these interim allocations will remain in place until the new model for allocations comes into effect with the Department of Education and Skills currently working on a pilot model.

I spoke with many parents of children with Down Syndrome and Down Syndrome Ireland regarding this pressing issue in recent weeks and I am delighted that provision has been made for these families and their children.

I hope this interim measure and the introduction of a new allocation model will provide the supports and assistance necessary and more fairly to students with Down Syndrome and all students with a special educational need.

Information for schools on how to apply for the interim allocations and supports will made available shortly on the NCSE website:  www.ncse.ie.