Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Down Syndrome Ireland for its informative event in the audio-visual room last week. I agree with one of the previous speakers about the July provision. It is something I have raised here in a Commencement debate. Children with Down Syndrome are not accepted under the July provision. For those who do not know, the July provision is an opportunity to go to school in the month of July to get extra support. It is certainly something these children and their families rely on. During that Commencement debate, I was informed that a review was ongoing in the Department. Children with Down's syndrome do not come under the remit of the July provision, yet children with autism do. It is a shame they do not come under its remit. We need the Minister to come to the House to discuss this matter as soon as possible because many families rely on the July provision. Down Syndrome Ireland was very clear in its message to that effect last week.

It was announced yesterday that the first world tag rugby event will be held in the University of Limerick. That is a collaboration between the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, the University of Limerick, Fáilte Ireland and Limerick City and County Councils. It will be held in 2021 and will bring in more than 3,000 participants. This is certainly something to be welcomed in the mid west because a number of people will travel from the southern hemisphere in advance. It will be a great tourism boost and there is plenty of time to prepare for it. I congratulate all involved in delivering this project.