Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the programme for Government and to the Taoiseach's suggestion, with which most people will agree, that as the economy improved, there would be more money for people with special needs. Does the Government intend to extend the July provision scheme to all children with Down's syndrome in light of a recent High Court settlement? The children at the centre of the recent action, who have various educational and special needs, will now receive additional schooling under the July provision scheme as a result of that judgment. Surely this area merits immediate review in light of that judgment. This issue has been raised with me on numerous occasions by quite a number of parents of children with Down's syndrome. I do not expect it today, but will the Taoiseach provide an update on the work of the implementation group convened to consider the recommendations of the National Council for Special Education's review of the July provision grant scheme, particularly the recommendation that the Government consider how an equitable national day activity scheme could be developed for all students with complex special educational needs, including children with Down's syndrome?

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