Fine Gael Exclude many Children with Down Syndrome from July Provision

Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has blasted the Minister for Education for backing out of his June 5th pledge that all Children with Down Syndrome would be eligible for the July Provision. He said that “this exclusion of many children with Down Syndrome is simply unacceptable in 21st century Ireland.

Tóibín: “The June 5th declaration by the Minister of Education extending the July Provision scheme to children, with Down Syndrome was meant to be a milestone in inclusivity and vindication of disability rights in this country. That declaration has now been tainted and somewhat obviated by the numerous qualifications to the inclusion of many children”.

“Thousands of parents of children with Down Syndrome were left heartbroken as the rug was pulled out from underneath them and supports cut. Those in mainstream primary and post-primary schemes are to be excluded under DES draft guidelines on the Summer Provision. This follows on from decades of the DOE ignoring calls from parents of children with Down Syndrome and representative organisations to extend the July Provision scheme to their children without qualification. This is yet another cruel reversal as parents, children and organisation see their needs and rights turned into a political football – with work done or funding provided to actually helping them”

“There is no rhyme nor reason, no justification, no excuse for the Minister’s decision to now segregate children with Down Syndrome from the July Provision scheme on the basis of their schools. This government has systematically undermined the rights and protections of those with disabilities. Be it the cutting of AIM funding in the Childcare sector, or the double-speak regarding the July Provision – parents of those with disability have been shown no respect and afforded pitiful support by this government. The Minister should apologise for the distress and anguish his actions have caused to these children and their families, and prohibit any qualification to the availability of the July Provision scheme.”

Membership Application

CONTACT DETAILS

First Name

Last Name

Country Phone Code

Mobile

Landline

Sex

Date of Birth

Irish Speaker / Gaeilgeoir

ADDRESS

Line 1

Line 2

Line 3

Eircode / Postcode

County

Country

COMMUNICATION
I accept communications by

Call

Post

SMS

OTHER TERMS

I accept the Privacy Policy

I accept the Terms and Conditions

Student / Unwaged / Retired (Reduced rate): The membership fee is €/£20. Please tick this box ONLY if you wish to avail of the discounted rate for students and the unwaged.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.