Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I commend Deputy Finian McGrath on his work on this issue and on the introduction of this Bill. I remind Members that there are advocates in government for disabilities, including Down's syndrome. I include myself and other colleagues in that regard. This Bill provides us with the opportunity to state that publicly. It is important that we recognise the advocates for people with Down's syndrome and their families, particularly Down Syndrome Ireland and the support it provides to such families.

International studies have proven that children with Down's syndrome can and will thrive when they attend mainstream schools in which they are provided with adequate resources. A wonderful young lady from my constituency named Grace recently graduated from a third level college. Grace has faced many challenges since the day she was born 25 years ago but with loving support from her family and structured support from her schools she has blossomed into a wonderful, educated graduate. Grace mother's recently wrote:

I never dreamed I would see this day when 25 years ago we were told, "Your daughter has Down's syndrome". Two days after she was born the paediatrician told us, "She will never amount to anything. The best thing you can do for your baby is to take her home and love her because on the great motorway of life she will never be anything but a clapped out mini: she will never be a jaguar." I will never forget those words. By God did she prove them wrong. From that day to this she has amazed and delighted us with her determination and her drive, her hunger for learning, her passion for living, her wit and wisdom, her beautiful nature, her glorious smile, her gentle and compassionate nature, her courage and strength in overcoming whatever life has thrown at her and she has had to cope with so very much, her love of drama and acting, her poetry and script writing, every one of her many achievements including junior certificate, leaving certificate and college and her wonderful ability to see the best and the good in everyone. That's Grace and Grace has Down's syndrome.

I believe children such as Grace need and must have the educational support that Deputy McGrath and others have outlined today. I am chairman of the board of management of a medium-sized primary school. I hear almost daily about the challenges being faced by principals and teachers in managing resource hours in the current system. For this reason, I welcome the review referred to by the Minister of State. It is long overdue. All Oireachtas Members should engage with this process to ensure that young children with Down's syndrome and young people with disabilities are given adequate supports and resources in schools to allow them to achieve their full potential.

I again commend Deputy McGrath on his work in this area. The Deputy can be assured that he has allies in this area within Government. We will continue to do what we can within the resources available to us. As stated by the Minister of State, despite the challenges faced by this Government, backbenchers on this side of the House have been fighting to protect and secure supports for the disabilities sector, particularly within the education system. We must not abandon our children. We must do our best to support them in every way possible. Debates such as this will certainly assist in that respect. This is not about politics: it is about society and the supports we must put in place to assist every member of society, regardless of disability or syndrome, so that, like Grace, they can reach their full potential.

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