Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock

Education Minister quizzed over needs of schoolchildren with Down Syndrome

The group are looking for the Minister to recognise that children with Down Syndrome have complex and enduring needs.

DOWN SYNDROME IRELAND has met with the Minister for Education to ask for recognition that Down Syndrome is a complex and enduring disorder which means children with the syndrome require extra resources in school.

A spokesperson from the organisation said that there was “a robust exchange of views” at the meeting yesterday, and that Minister Ruairí Quinn promised to consider the issue and get back to Down Syndrome Ireland before the Dáil recess.

She said that they were looking for all children with Down Syndrome to be recognised as having complex and enduring needs. The Minister didn’t give a ‘yes or a no’ on this, but did commit to examining the issue and getting back to DSI before the Dáil’s recess, which the group is happy with.

They are hoping for a positive result, as DSI feel that recognising this would have a major impact on children when it comes to resource teaching and special needs assistants in the classroom.

They want this recognition to be dealt with effectively, and for schools to be given extra resources for all children with Down Syndrome – not just children who fall into the “moderate” category for intellectual disabilities.

DSI believes it is unfair to base resource teacher allocation on intellectual disability alone, as children with Down Syndrome also experience speech and language difficulties, for example, among other issues.

Education Officer for Down Syndrome Ireland, Patricia Griffin, strongly condemned the NCSE cuts announced last week, describing them as “utterly unacceptable”.

Yesterday, the Education Minister rowed back on the cuts.

Griffin noted last week that though staff numbers were not being reduced, pupil numbers have increased by approximately 10 per cent, and that there had been a 15 per cent cut in resources for special needs students last year.

Read: Children with Down Syndrome “let down” by resource allocation>

Read: ‘We listened’: Minister reverses special needs education cuts>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
13 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Dempsey
    Favourite Joseph Dempsey
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:55 AM

    Just curious to know why a Team of geologists from the UK were called in, according to reports in the indo (refreshing there not focussing/obsessing on Vogue Williams for a change), is there not a single Irish Based geologist who could share their experiences, knowledge etc

    294
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:01 AM

    @Joseph Dempsey: very good question. Just wondering myself why any building development was permitted in the area of mine shafts.

    133
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart Wootten
    Favourite Stuart Wootten
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 12:11 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: or a geologist in training who might learn from the “UK experts”!!

    23
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malcolm Smith
    Favourite Malcolm Smith
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 2:59 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: Well maybe, just maybe that UK geologists have more experience in mining subsidence owing to the amount of collieries that the UK had.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan
    Favourite Brendan
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 4:00 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: There is very few jobs in Ireland for geoscientists, so most of us have had to move over seas to find work. Thinking about it, I’m not even sure that the GSI would have the equipment to investigate something like this, never mind the resources.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 5:46 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: I would imagine UK-based geologists are more experinced on account of there being more cave networks in the UK. Yorkshire alone has over 50 miles of interconnected caves.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter McGlynn
    Favourite Peter McGlynn
    Report
    Sep 26th 2018, 12:23 AM

    @Joseph Dempsey: could ask the question why we have no marine drilling expertise also. The Norwegians produced home-grown experts in oil and look at them now.
    Incidentally – might be nice if maybe more of the slice of Monaghan’s jp Macmanus pie went to this club…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute iohanx
    Favourite iohanx
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:04 AM

    Any chance of a photo showing the pitch now?

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Devlin
    Favourite Paul Devlin
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:33 AM

    @iohanx: you would think someone would get a drone over the pitch and take some shots if it’s so dangerous to approach

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry McBride
    Favourite Gerry McBride
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:48 AM
    76
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Devlin
    Favourite Paul Devlin
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 11:15 AM

    @Gerry McBride: some drone footage on the BBCNI site. It’s some crack in the ground alright

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James O'Brien
    Favourite James O'Brien
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:43 AM

    Years is a bit sensationalist now…

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Foley
    Favourite Dermot Foley
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:45 AM

    @James O’Brien: shows how much you know about a new pitch. Two years minimum for a decent pitch from scratch.

    233
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yorkie1892
    Favourite Yorkie1892
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:47 AM

    @James O’Brien: it could fully at any time..

    16
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yorkie1892
    Favourite Yorkie1892
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @Yorkie1892: collapse fully*

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Connolly
    Favourite Simon Connolly
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 11:22 AM

    @James O’Brien: Sensationalist, just like Storm Ali!! Eh, James???

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Kelly
    Favourite Shane Kelly
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 2:02 PM

    Ah excuse me, the comments here are just a bit too light hearted. A GAA club’s ground has been closed, destroyed. A hundred years of fund raising and the work of countless generations of volunteers is gone. Years and years of blood, sweat and tears. I don’t believe they will ever be allowed to open again. It’s a dreadful blow for this community. So please, have some consideration.

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Leonard
    Favourite Cathal Leonard
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:54 AM

    Good job it didn’t happen in Rosses consituancy he would filled it up with our cash.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flippermac
    Favourite Flippermac
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:00 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: but sure he’d be spending the property tax raises in that community
    not to the back ass off kerry

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Tyrrell
    Favourite Stephen Tyrrell
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:40 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: #pitchesfortheboys

    6
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fear Uisce
    Favourite Fear Uisce
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 11:35 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: no he wouldn’t, it’s not a hockey field

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flippermac
    Favourite Flippermac
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 11:51 AM

    @Fear Uisce: it’s local taxes for local ppl

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rachel McEneaney
    Favourite Rachel McEneaney
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 2:21 PM

    This is my club. My kids play here. It is indeed a devastating blow to our community. There are plenty of photos of the damage including Ariel photos on line. The amount of effort and work from coaches and volunteers throughout the years resulted in top quality facilities for our kids. This is indeed devastating. The buildings on it are also unusable. One of my kids played there Saturday and that was the last time these facilities were used. We are lucky there was no one there.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peachesncream
    Favourite Peachesncream
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 12:41 PM

    Well that’s the border sorted.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Conway
    Favourite Sean Conway
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:57 AM

    Sure jp mcmanus will buy them a new town with a big win on the horses.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Sheridan
    Favourite Thomas Sheridan
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:04 AM

    A few wheelbarrow loads of mushroom compost should fix it grand.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:52 AM

    No mention of the homes affected by the subsidence…

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sixmile
    Favourite sixmile
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:48 AM

    I’d say a three mile radius needs to be sealed ff for ever!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BarronVonVaderHam
    Favourite BarronVonVaderHam
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:45 AM

    It looks more like subsidence than a sink hole

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy C
    Favourite Tommy C
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @BarronVonVaderHam: Finally a solution to all the hand passes

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean
    Favourite Sean
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:49 AM

    @BarronVonVaderHam: subsidence / sinkhole are the same thing. Subsidence is the term generally used for slight drops of several cm but obviously if a big hole opens as a result of subsidence then it is s sink hole.

    19
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 1:10 PM

    @BarronVonVaderHam:
    Looks like the aftermath of a mini earthquake to me.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe O'riordan
    Favourite Joe O'riordan
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 1:42 PM

    By all accounts the guards are looking into it …..

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute wiggy
    Favourite wiggy
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:01 AM

    A bit OTT ……

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil Ferriter
    Favourite Neil Ferriter
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:28 AM

    @wiggy: Why is it OTT?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shellakybooky
    Favourite shellakybooky
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 10:36 AM

    @wiggy: bit a muck and grass seed. Be grand

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Breathnach
    Favourite Ian Breathnach
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 1:16 PM

    Brexit is has really started.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vince Shields
    Favourite Vince Shields
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vince Shields
    Favourite Vince Shields
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roy O'Rourke
    Favourite Roy O'Rourke
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 2:34 PM

    Oh the humanity

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vince Shields
    Favourite Vince Shields
    Report
    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds