John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My condolences to the McGuinness family. It has been a bad weekend in general terms for the people of Derry. I should also mention, although it has been well mentioned already, the tragedy that occurred off the Mayo coast.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. Every week, two to three women give birth to lovely little babies with Down's syndrome. Much has been done over the years to improve the supports for families but I do not believe that anyone can turn to those parents at that point - it is not always two parents - with hand on heart and say we are able to give all the supports that are needed. As that is still a stretch for Ireland, I draw that to people's attention on a day like today. Families are trying to find money for assessments. Organisations such as Down Syndrome Ireland and others are trying to support them with practical measures such as speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and whatever.

The other point that must be made is that many children with Down's syndrome can have other complications such as heart conditions and arthritis. In their later years, many of them will face the onset of dementia of one kind or another. Thankfully, the longevity of children with Down's syndrome in the past 30 or 40 years has increased from 30 to 35 years. In the past, parents were told that if they got 30 or 35 years out of life with their child they were doing well. They now live into their 50s and beyond. That is a compliment to the improvement in services but we are not keeping pace in that regard.

This is an occasion to applaud parents, families and communities that do their best and to remind ourselves, those in the other House and the Government that real issues arise for people. For two or three families this week, that challenge will arise out of nowhere. That is the reason ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is important. Also, real issues arise now for parents who are becoming elderly in respect of how their son or daughter will be provided for when they pass way. I pay tribute to those parents and express my condolences to all those who have been bereaved so sadly in the past week.