THE law in Ireland is inclusive for children, and particularly for children who have a disability, writes Michael Clifford.

According to the Oireachtas Education committee, “a school’s religious ethos should not be allowed to influence teaching of sexuality and relationships” and it has decided that the present RSE (Relationships & Sexuality Education) programme delivered in our primary and secondary schools is “narrow and outdated” and needs a complete overhaul.

Parents who are asked to accept a shorter school day for their children with special needs should refuse to do so, the lead author of a new report has suggested.

Parents who are asked to accept a shorter school day for their children with special needs should refuse to do so, the lead author of a new report has suggested.

A report has found that one in four children with disabilities are being denied full school days as 'short school days' are being imposed upon them by schools.

New Department of Education guidelines expected by next summer will tell schools that physically restraining or secluding children must not be used as disciplinary measures.

A Cabinet minister has been accused of being over-confident in predicting the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment will be won by a comfortable margin.

Inclusion Ireland, the national voluntary organisation which promotes the rights of people with an intellectual disability, is accusing the State of failing in its efforts to “deinstitutionalise” people by removing them from congregated settings.

Advocacy groups have criticised a new multibillion euro Government plan to help people with disabilities by labelling it a “missed opportunity” that is “short on vision” and fails to address chronic poverty among those affected.

Claire O’Sullivan on the key questions that need to be answered.

The Junior Minister behind a new Commission into an abusive foster home in Waterford thinks Michael Noonan has no case to answer.

The passing of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill has been criticised for missing opportunities.

More needs to be done to ensure those with a disability are not excluded from society, according to support organisations.

Significant risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of residents at disability centres have been found by the Health watchdog following inspections earlier this year.

Disability campaigners are calling on the Government to reform how funding is provided to the sector.

Centres for people with intellectual disabilities need to be opened up to checks on resident care by independent advocates, a support organisation has said.

Disability charity Cope Foundation has won Ireland’s first ‘plain English’ award for it’s easy-to-understand website.

Disability campaigners who organised a three-day sit-down outside Government Buildings have described as disappointing a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Antoinette Norris has acquired many skills in 18 years of caring for a child with profound disabilities, but lately she feels she’s added time travel to the list.

Nurses are to protest against “severe and damaging cuts” to intellectual disability services outside the Dáil next Tuesday.

The standard of Hiqa inspections into centres for people with disabilities has been questioned, with a new report claiming that failures to fully inspect some facilities could result in "concealment of abusive care practices".

How can we take to the streets to fight for water charges but not to support Áras Attracta residents, asks Fergus Finlay.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has opened up the possibility of criminal action in response to the Áras Attracta scandal after it emerged that a 12th worker at the home has been suspended over abuse claims.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has come under intense pressure to open a public inquiry into the Áras Attracta abuse scandal, after families said the State cannot be trusted to root out what happened.

An Irish Examiner article about thousands of children waiting years for speech and language assessments is the inspiration behind a new affordable therapy service.