Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 19 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Special Class Allocation

Intended results Special class allocation for children with Down syndrome.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Peggy Ryan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Attended a meeting with Minister Moynihan and officials of NCSE, his policy advisor and Fianna Fail TD's, Albert Dolan, John Connolly and Senators Shane Curley and Anne Rabbitte to discuss: criteria for accessing SSLD Classes nationwide and the impact of new criteria; GLD classes for children who have Mild & Moderate learning disabilities; allocation of Special Classes - imbalance in allocation for children who have Down Syndrome vs other disabilities.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Michael Moynihan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Albert Dolan Councillor (Galway County Council)

John Connolly Councillor (Galway City Council)

Shane Curley Councillor (Galway County Council)

Anne Rabitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)