10 Sep 2013, 12:44
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection tomorrow will hear from a leading international expert on Down syndrome education, as well as national advocates in the area, who are expected to call for greater support for children with Downs syndrome in mainstream Irish schools.
10 September 2013
Professor Sue Buckley of University of Portsmouth will address the Committee along with Patricia Griffin, National Education Consultant with Down Syndrome Ireland and Gina Grant, Vice-Secretary of Donegal Down Syndrome are also attending.
Chair of the Committee Joanna Tuffy, TD says: “Tomorrow’s meeting is a valuable opportunity for our Committee to consider issues in relation to the education of children with Down syndrome in mainstream schools. Prof Buckley is considered one of the world’s leading researchers in the education and development of children with Down syndrome. She is expected to outline the benefits of an inclusive approach for children with Down syndrome in education, but at the same time stress that these benefits can be realised only with sufficient support from resource teachers for those children. The Committee looks forward to hearing the latest international evidence on securing the best educational outcomes for children with Down syndrome, along with suggestions as to how the Irish education system can better meet their needs.”
This meeting will take place at 1 pm tomorrow Wednesday 11 September in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Nicky McFadden, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Fidelma Healy Eames, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Averil Power, Marie-Louise O’Donnell