Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to raise something with the Taoiseach in relation to a report that was delivered by Down Syndrome Ireland, DSI, in the past couple of days. It relates to the fact that services delivered to people with Down's syndrome have radically fallen over the past couple of years. Of those surveyed by DSI, 65% have received no speech and language therapy sessions in the past year, while 44% have received no therapy of any kind in the past year. Some parents responded that they have received no therapy sessions at all over the past three years. Moreover, 40% stated they received no communication from the HSE in the past 12 months and nearly 25% of children with Down's syndrome under the age of five have received no therapy services in their whole lives. Of young children, only 49% have had a speech and language therapist, while 22% have had access to occupational therapy.

This is an abandonment of a whole section of Irish society. This country flies the flag of inclusion but, unfortunately, in real terms, too many people with disabilities are being excluded.

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