Children with Down Syndrome to get extra support

Dozens of children with Down Syndrome who had not previously been eligible for one-to-one special needs teaching in mainstream schools will get extra support from September.

Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan got Cabinet approval yesterday for the move which could benefit up to 200 pupils, although they will not get the three hours a week for which most children with Down Syndrome qualify.

The majority of primary pupils with Down Syndrome qualify for resource teaching hours in mainstream primary schools because they also have a moderate general learning disability or other qualifying condition.