Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 15 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Meeting regarding SLT classes and supports

Intended results Improved access to SLT classes and supports 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)

Met with Minister for Disability, Emer Higgins. Discussed criteria for children accessing Speech & Language Classes, specifically for the treatment of Speech Sound Disorders/Apraxia of Speech. Discussed the need for allocation of Special classes for children who have Mild or Moderate learning disabilities and the very small percentage (3%) of allocation of these classes to Primary & Postprimary schools, when compared to the allocation of special classes for children with autism diagnosis.

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.

Emer Higgins Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)