Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I said earlier, we have heard the case made by Down Syndrome Ireland. As the Deputy said, this organisation does know what it is talking about from experience, and we take that very seriously. I was unable to attend the briefing but received a report from my parliamentary colleagues who did attend. We are addressing it. I repeat that the assessment being carried out by the NCSE will include the issue of whether Down's syndrome should be reclassified as a low-incidence disability in all instances regardless of assessed cognitive ability. The case made by Down Syndrome Ireland is being addressed by the Minister. He expects to be in a position to publish the policy advice in the coming weeks, so we are not talking about a prolonged period of time. We have heard the case that has been made and it is being addressed. There is a process through which the Minster is looking at it. The issue of Down's syndrome is very much part of that process and we should wait to see what is that expert advice.

He will publish it in a matter of weeks. We heard the case made by Down Syndrome Ireland to the all-party group at a meeting earlier this week.

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