Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. Approximately 7,000 children in Ireland have Down's syndrome. Having spoken to the family members of many children with Down's syndrome, I know those children are the life and soul of their families. They are very sociable. They certainly keep the members of their families on their toes. They are the root and the centre of their families.

Many people with Down's syndrome are born with learning disabilities. They learn much more from life experience. I would like to point out that the life expectancy of people with Down's syndrome is getting longer. This means they need lifelong learning and lifelong provision. Children with Down's syndrome do not qualify for the July provision that is available in many schools. I know a family that received a letter of refusal even though an autistic child in the same class had received approval for inclusion in the programme. The teacher who was brought in to deal with one child could have dealt with two children.

The practical things that are taught during July provision can involve taking children to the shop and giving them money. They have to purchase something and bring back the change. They are taught how to use footpaths and the green man at traffic lights. Such practical things make the life of the child more independent.

The family in the case I have mentioned was very disappointed to find that the child did not qualify for July provision. At the end of the day, he is a child like everybody else in the class. He is in mainstream school. It is most commendable that he is getting on very well in school. It is disappointing that this decision has been made. I would like to hear the Minister of State's response to what I have said.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is unable to be present because he is answering parliamentary questions in the Dáil Chamber. It is unfortunate that the times have clashed.

I assure the House that ensuring children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for the Government. Almost €1.8 billion will be invested in special education in 2018. This represents an increase of almost 43% since 2011 and amounts to almost 20% of the Department's overall budget. During the worst years of the recession, the Government not only protected supports for children with special educational needs, including children with Down's syndrome, but it increased them.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, published its policy advice on educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders in July 2016. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE reviewed the Department's July provision grant scheme. The NCSE consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The policy advice, which is available on the NCSE website, recommends that relevant stakeholders should discuss the development of a national day activity scheme that provides a structured and safe social environment for all students with complex special educational needs for one month of the summer holidays.

The Department of Education and Skills has convened an implementation group with representatives of the NCSE, the National Educational Psychological Service, the inspectorate and external representatives to ensure the recommendations in the report are fully and appropriately considered. The work of the implementation group is ongoing. Department officials will engage with officials in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the recommendations, including those regarding July provision. While that work is under way, there are no plans to extend the existing July provision to all children with special educational needs. Indeed, this was not recommended by the NCSE in its policy advice.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I am disappointed. There are two children in the one class, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Certainly if the Down's syndrome child had any variation of autism he would be entitled to the July provision. I would like the Minister of State to relay to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Department the fact that it does not add up. They bring a teacher in to work with one child who could have worked with the two children. It is not going to cost extra money. The teacher had to come in to work with one child anyhow. While I understand they are working on it, it is most disappointing to find that Down's syndrome is not going to be considered for the moment because a Down's syndrome child is no different from any other child.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I reassure the Senator that her message will be conveyed back to the Minister. I understand the point that if the Down's syndrome child in question was on the ASD spectrum, he would have been included. I have a first cousin in her 50s who has Down's syndrome, which proves that the life expectancy of such people has improved. I sometimes think she is able to read our minds and buy and sell us all anyway and they are very special people. Activity is very important in their learning skills. The NCSE has not recommended it so it is something that may have to be reviewed again in the future.