Extra resources announced for pupils with ‘mild’ Down syndrome

Children categorised as having “mild” Down syndrome are to receive additional teaching resources in a move cautiously welcomed by parents and campaigners.

The interim measure was announced by Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan “in recognition of the length of time it will take” to introduce a new resource teacher model for children with special educational needs.

Under the measure, schools will receive 2.5 resource teacher hours per week for each qualifying child.

Children with Down syndrome who are diagnosed with a “moderate” or more severe learning disability are unaffected by the announcement as they are already supported through the National Council for Special Education’s (NCSE) annual allocation process.

The move follows a long-running campaign by parents of children with Down syndrome who fall under the NCSE's allocation threshold for extra resources. A test case involving two families claiming discrimination is due to return before the High Court in May.

Pat Clarke, chief executive of Down Syndrome Ireland, said the announcement was "good news but it doesn't go far enough".

“In fairness to the Minister, she has recognised what other Ministers wouldn’t recognise, whether they were able to or not because of circumstances.”

He stressed, however, children with Down syndrome, irrespective of severity, “should be getting five to eight resource hours per week”.

In addition, Mr Clarke expressed concern that the new model of allocating resources was being delayed further.

The model, which has been recommended by the NCSE, would among other things remove the necessity for children with special educational needs to get a medical diagnosis – something that was seen to discriminate against children from poorer backgrounds.