Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I add my voice to those who have welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, yesterday on people with Down's syndrome. That is something I never agreed with from the very beginning and many of my colleagues felt the same. We always felt what happened was unjust and wrong. That is the reason we have continually lobbied the Minister to make provision in schools for children with Down's syndrome. Thankfully, she has listened and moved in the right direction. We could do with some more hours but it is a step in the right direction.

Another issue that has come to my attention is a funding scheme under the community and voluntary support section of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which is administered by Pobal. Last year, the support scheme for national organisations omitted 23 health and disability organisations from funding under the scheme. Bridging funding was put in place but it will expire in June of this year. At present, the organisations do not know where they stand and if they will receive funding for the coming year. Could the Leader organise a debate in the House with the Minister so that we can get clarification for the organisations in order that they will know where they stand?