Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Kyne, an impression might have been given that a report was due in September. That was not the intention. A progress report to me was due but not a report. It was always understood that the report would be due next spring at the earliest. In response to Deputy McConalogue, it will probably take another full year to implement it - to change the existing allocation model. We are at least two and a half years away from a different model of allocation to the one we were discussing earlier. I am not sure if the group had a specific meeting with Down Syndrome Ireland but I can find out for the House.

The members of the working group are Eamon Stack; Áine Lynch, who is the chief executive officer of the National Parents Council; Mary Byrne, who is the secretary of special education; Katherine O'Leary, who is a parent and board director with Inclusion Ireland; Don Mahon, who is an assistant inspector in the Department; Anne English, who is the principal of a primary school; Maureen Costello, who is the director of the National Educational Psychological Service; Antoinette Nic Gearailt, who is the principal of a post-primary school; Peter Archer, who is the director of the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra; Pat Kinsella, who is an NCSE member; Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig, who is an inspector in the Department; Eithne Fitzgerald, who is the head of policy and research in the National Disability Authority; James O'Grady, who is another NCSE member; and a member of staff from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I will find out whether Down Syndrome Ireland has been consulted. There is no reason representatives of that organisation cannot be met with if that has not already happened.

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