Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms Griffin argued that the model works in general, but we have seen how it does not work. Professor Buckley suggested that parents are possibly dumbing down their children, if that is the correct description, so that they can access resource hours. However, many parents, including those in the gallery, do their utmost to ensure their children reach their highest potential.

We must be concerned for the children entering mainstream schools this and next September. I welcome the report and agree we need to restructure the model, but that does not help us now. How much input has Down Syndrome Ireland been allowed into the NCSE report that is due in April? Can Professor Buckley suggest anything to assist us in improving the situation in the short term?