Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their presentations. A document was prepared for us by the Oireachtas Library and Research Service which assists the committee, although I am not a member. The first conclusion is that it is exceptionally difficult to identify how children with Down's syndrome are supported in mainstream classes on a national basis. That is where I want to start because we received the Ombudsman for Children's recommendations last December, one of which was that we needed to address the absence of arrangements to centrally monitor the impact of additional support measures on the educational progress of children with Down's syndrome. There is an absence of looking at the outcomes for children with Down's syndrome who are in this model that changed in 2004, did not assist children with Down's syndrome and was a negative. There are children with Down's syndrome who, because of other conditions, are receiving support. Is it Professor Buckley's view that one of the first things we must do is carry out additional research into outcomes?

Professor Buckley's contribution was very clear. It stated all of these children qualify under the heading of low-incidence and that all had language and memory deficits below their IQ expectations. This goes to the core of the matter because there is a broad acknowledgement within society that the NCSE's report is moving in the right direction. However, the problem is that the report may not be implemented. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 will not be implemented. The NCSE does not even call for the Act to be implemented because it is aware of the resource implications. Even it were to be implemented, we would be looking at a period of two years.

Professor Buckley mentioned IQ. A reference to IQ in respect of speech and language disorders is included for a reason. Am I right in saying it is included to show there is a disorder that is not part of normal developmental delay? The problem is that we have not been able to nail this lie or untruth. Children with Down's syndrome have a specific and distinct speech and language disorder in terms of development. If one proves this conclusively, one has hit the nail on the head. Therefore, they should automatically be assigned. Will Professor Buckley comment on this? The NCSE's report refers to lobbying by the parents of children with Down's syndrome. It acknowledges the fact that there is a specific speech and language condition for children with Down's syndrome and goes on to state it will be addressed in the new model. If it is to be addressed in the new model, it should be addressed now for the children in the system.

The NCSE has stated it could not establish an evidence base to support a recommendation that a child with Down's syndrome should be allocated supports over and above those allocated for children with syndromes that have associated co-morbid conditions. Will Professor Buckley refer to this also? I thank her for her presentation.

The fact that 300 teachers are coming tomorrow shows that teachers who are dealing with the issue in class know that the Department of Education and Skills is way behind on it. My wife attended one of the courses in County Donegal. I know the teachers who will attend over the weekend will get much out of it.