World Down Syndrome Day: Minister Foley and Minister Higgins announce expanded therapeutic supports

On World Down Syndrome Day, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins announced expanded specialist therapeutic services for people with Down syndrome across Ireland.

Glór – Voices for Life is a new partnership that will deliver expanded specialist therapeutic services across Ireland — including Early Intervention, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. This new partnership brings together the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Down Syndrome Ireland, The Down Syndrome Centre Dublin, the Down Syndrome Centre Cork, Hub 21 and the HSE.

Services will begin immediately and will be delivered on a phased national basis to expand access to therapeutic supports for people with Down syndrome regardless of where they live. This includes an investment in the expansion of current services provided in the Dublin region by The Down Syndrome Centre, and nationally through Down Syndrome Ireland.

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said

“The provision of expanded therapeutic services through the new Glór partnership demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that people with Down syndrome can thrive. For the first time in Ireland, the initiative formally recognises that people with Down syndrome have distinctive developmental and therapeutic needs that require specialist support from early childhood through adulthood and ageing.”

Glór – Voices for Life, was launched on World Down Syndrome Day, 21st March 2026, at Dublin Zoo. The event was attended by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins.

Speaking at the launch of Glór Minister Higgins said:

“Ensuring that people with Down syndrome can access the supports they need to participate fully in education, employment and community life is a priority for Government. The GLÓR – Voices for Life partnership represents an important step in strengthening specialist therapeutic expertise and improving access to communication and therapeutic supports across Ireland.”

Aoife O’Donohue, HSE Assistant National Director for Disability Transformation and Coordination, added:

“Partnerships between specialist organisations and public services play an important role in ensuring that people receive the right support at the right time. Initiatives such as GLÓR – Voices for Life help build the knowledge and capacity required to support people with Down syndrome across their lives.” 

Aidan Stacey, CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland said:

“Communication lies at the heart of independence for people with Down syndrome, and Speech and Language Therapy plays a critical role in supporting this development. For many years families have told us that access to specialist therapeutic supports — particularly Speech and Language Therapy — is one of the most important supports their children and family members need.

Peter Wilson, Chair of The Down Syndrome Centre commented: 

“Families of people with Down syndrome know that development is supported through a wide range of therapeutic interventions across childhood and adulthood. The GLÓR – Voices for Life partnership recognises the importance of delivering coordinated therapeutic supports so that individuals with Down syndrome can develop their skills, confidence and independence throughout their lives.”

Representatives from Hub 21 included Mary Hall (Secretary), Nikki McGoohan (Treasurer) and Kathryn Laing (Board member) as well as Jack, Clodagh and Roisin who were all delighted to attend on our behalf for this inspirational and truly momentous day. We will share more details in due course.