ADULTS with Down syndrome from across the country celebrated World Down Syndrome Day today at the iconic Mansion House in Dublin.
The adults, aged between 18-45, are all participating in a unique literacy programme called LATCH-ON which is being rolled out by Down Syndrome Ireland across its educational centres.
The theme of this year’s World Down Syndrome Day is Lifelong Learning and in keeping with this DSI is currently rolling out a two-year programme specifically aimed at developing long-term and post-school skills for people with Down syndrome.
It is the first time the programme, which was developed by the School of Education at the prestigious University of Queensland, Australia, has been rolled out in Europe.
It began on a pilot basis last March and will be rolled out across 13 centres at a cost of €1million by the end of 2013.
More than 160 students will complete the programme by year end which will help them live more independent lives.
Longitudinal studies conducted at the University of Queensland on individuals with Down syndrome have revealed they do not in fact plateau in their development at the age of 12 which was previously widely believed to be the case.
This critical research highlights how teachers and professionals often do not know the potential of these people until they are provided with opportunities to develop their learning lifelong.
On this basis LATCH-ON was developed to provide greater opportunities for adults with Down syndrome to continue their literacy development in a post-secondary environment, using computer technology to enhance literacy, self-confidence, independence and employment opportunities.
The highly successful two-year post-school programme is unlike other literacy programmes for typically developed individuals and research has shown that it significantly improves students’ literacy and enhances their overall confidence in life.
Among those who have benefited from the programme is 28-year-old Amy Purcell from Kildare who is fulfilling her lifelong dream of being able to read and write and send text messages to her nephews and nieces for the first time.
Pat Clarke, Chief Executive of Down Syndrome Ireland, whose son David is enrolled in the programme, said: “The United Nations made 2003 – 2012 the decade for literacy and as literacy is a basic human right, we believe Irish people with Down syndrome have been ignored for far too long when it comes to our educational system. Educational opportunities depend on literacy and as we know literacy is the bedrock for basic education for all.”
He went onto say: “People with Down syndrome are still perceived as the eternal children. We want to change perceptions of them through education. If we attain this goal it will enable employers to view people with Down syndrome as potential employees.We have seen great achievements from this world class programme of education and sincerely hope it will enhance many people’s learning skills.”
Grainne Murphy, Director of Policy, Ethics and Independence with DSI said: “Latch-On has a strong foundation in educational research and practice. DSI is developing a community of practice – a community with literacy links to other social endeavours that assist in the development of lifelong learners,”
The students and their teachers from 13 educational centres across the country gathered at the Mansion House yesterday on World Down Syndrome Day.
Special guests included journalist and author Sylvia Thompson, author Tom Clonan and author Michael Gannon who has Down syndrome. Michael read a poignant passage from his book ‘Straight Up No Sugar’.
Posted: April 5, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Congratulations to Monkstown Mens Hockey Team
Congratulations to Monkstown for winning not only the Leinster Senior Cup, but the Irish Senior Cup – bringing the oldest trophy in hockey back to Dún Laoghaire for the first time in 99 years.
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
New “I Love Dalkey” website is launched
The new website – www.ilovedalkey.com – has plenty of information about Dalkey.
It’s a great way to find out about upcoming events, where to eat and drink and more –
“Welcome to Dalkey Heritage Town. Dalkey is an urban oasis nestling on the east coast of Ireland just ten miles south of Dublin city, half an hour by DART train.
A warm welcoming atmosphere awaits you here.
Whether it’s castles, panoramic scenery, fun, international and Irish cuisine, festivals, lively pubs, theatre, markets or village atmosphereyou are looking for, Dalkey is the place to visit.
The area is home to many creative artists such as writers, musicians, film directors and rock stars.
You never know who you might meet!”
Last Updated: May 13, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Outdoor Tourism Project Expression of Interest for Taster Sessions
The Outdoor Tourism Project are looking to procure the services of outdoor activity specialists in order to deliver a range of exciting Outdoor Activity taster, development and coaching sessions to the general public from June to October 2013 in Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown.
The Application Form offers you the opportunity to highlight to us what your organisation can deliver for the project. The project will look to spread the delivery of the sessions across a range of providers but this Application Form will be treated as a competitive bid and there is no guarantee of work from this process. There is limited budget available from the Outdoor Tourism Project for this purpose. Once all applications are received a panel will sit to consider the activities put forward and you will be notified as to whether your application was successful.
Outdoor Tourism Project – Activity Provider Application Form (word file – 94kb)
The aim of the Outdoor Tourism sessions
The project recognises the importance of engaging and inspiring our local communities to get involved recreationally in Outdoor Activities. Taster sessions offer people the opportunity to try activities that they would not normally do. The project aims to create a route into clubs for people wishing to continue with activities. The project will do this through development training with volunteers from clubs, and from the community. The project also looks to provide training and skills for local people to support individuals to progress as either a competent participant or a competent volunteer.
Key considerations:
The Application Form must be completed and returned by 30th April 2013 for consideration.
Last Updated: March 28, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Council, Harbour Board and business association all focused on bright future for Dun Laoghaire harbour
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said (27th March 2013) that everyone in Dun Laoghaire; the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, the Harbour Company Board and local business associations are working together to develop Dun Laoghaire Harbour and to maximise its potential into the future.
Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following the publication yesterday by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, of the new National Ports Policy. The Policy sets out a plan to transfer the corporate governance and oversight of the Harbour from the Department to the County Council, which is best placed to meet the long-term future needs of the harbour.
“As the third largest ferry port in the State, Dun Laoghaire Harbour has moved away in recent years from commercial port-related business to focusing on developing tourism, marine and recreational related activities.
“The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has done an excellent job in developing long-term future plans for the Harbour. The Minister’s decision to extend full control to the local authority, by making it a separate legal entity with share capital, owned by the local authority, will allow for the mutually beneficial development of the Harbour down the line.
“There are so many exciting projects attached to the Harbour with up to 14 cruise vessels, including the Queen Mary II, planning to come to Dun Laoghaire following a successful marketing campaign in the US by the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group. This effort to develop the tourism potential of the Harbour will help it to maximise the use of the Harbour, and with an estimated additional 30,000 passengers and crew set to come ashore, the benefits for the town will be significant.
“The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Master Plan, which was published in 2011, aimed at increasing the tourism potential of the Harbour and getting the best out of what we have to offer. Proposals have already been put to An Bord Pleanála for the construction of a new quay that would be able to cater for larger vessels, to allow Dun Laoghaire to harness an increasing amount of tourism market share.
“The Gathering represents a brilliant opportunity for people who have an interest in Ireland to pay a visit to our shores. With a host of conferences taking place at the Harbour, including the diaspora and the bratacha (flag) conference, all minds are focused on how best to develop Dun Laoghaire Harbour as a cultural amenity, a tourist attraction and a marine and leisure amenity.”
Posted: March 28, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Education Committee to consider whole school approaches to mental health and bullying
The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, on which Mary Mitchell O’Connor is a member, will tomorrow consider how best to bolster whole school approaches to mental health and bullying. Officials from the Department of Education and Skills and the Children’s Mental Health Coalition will present to the Committee.
Committee Vice-Chair Aodhán Ó Riordáin TD says: “Tomorrow we will explore how to embed effective whole school approaches to ensure development of positive mental health among all school goers. Department officials are expected to update the Committee on the wide range of work currently being undertaken to tackle and prevent bullying in Irish schools. The Children’s Mental Health Coalition, which is chaired by Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International Ireland, comprises 45 organisations and is working to ensure that every child’s right to mental health is realised. The Committee look forward to hearing from both perspectives on the work being done in Irish schools to foster a supportive and caring school environment in an integrated way.”
Separately, the Committee will meet with representatives from Arthritis Ireland who will discuss the costs of absenteeism arising from Muscoskeletal Disorders.
Deputy Ó Riordáin continues: “Arthritis Ireland representatives will address the Committee tomorrow on Muscoskeletal Disorders, which are a leading cause of absenteeism in the Irish workforce. They are expected to present worrying statistics on the levels of work days lost per year as a result of MSDs and the corresponding impact on the social welfare system. We look forward to exploring what measures can be put in place to reduce absenteeism and produce significant savings for the Exchequer.
The public session of this meeting takes place from 1pm tomorrow Wednesday 27 March in Committee Room 3, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Last Updated: April 6, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Dun Laoghaire IADT bring experts together to address cyberbullying
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, in conjunction with the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT) brought a range of national and international experts together on Saturday 23rd March to address the issue of cyberbullying at a conference entitled ‘Dealing With Cyberbullying: A Practical Approach’.
“The prevalence of cyberbullying and the affect is having on our young people especially cannot be ignored. Computer technology is the source of so much good in our lives and we must encourage the positive use of social media, in particular, so that young and old can continue have their lives enriched through the constructive use of computers.
“I, together with the IADT, co-hosted the Dealing With Cyberbullying: A Practical Approach Conference with a view to bringing a number of national and international experts together to examine the best way forward in dealing with this issue. The conference was targeted at second level schools and those dealing with young people and aimed to provide advice and support on cyberbullying and related issues.
“The topics for consideration at the one day conference centred around the European guidelines for preventing cyberbullying in the school environment; homophobic bullying, which the Government has been attempting to address in recent months; and the role of bystanders in combatting cyberbullying. Speakers will also look at the issue of sexting and the grooming of children online.
“We all have a role to play in stamping out this harmful practice. Children are sensitive enough when growing up without dealing with online harassment and all that goes with it. Parents, school and community organisations need to inform themselves about the best ways of protecting our children online and we need to teach them how, in turn, to behave when using social media.
“I found it very interesting to hear the contributors to the conference who were drawing on the most up-to-date research in this field. If we all work together and take the necessary steps we can eradicate cyberbullying. Getting the message out there that we will not stand idly by and let this intimidation go unchecked is key, this conference is a step in that direction.”
Posted: March 22, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Down Syndrome Ireland Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
ADULTS with Down syndrome from across the country celebrated World Down Syndrome Day today at the iconic Mansion House in Dublin.
The adults, aged between 18-45, are all participating in a unique literacy programme called LATCH-ON which is being rolled out by Down Syndrome Ireland across its educational centres.
The theme of this year’s World Down Syndrome Day is Lifelong Learning and in keeping with this DSI is currently rolling out a two-year programme specifically aimed at developing long-term and post-school skills for people with Down syndrome.
It is the first time the programme, which was developed by the School of Education at the prestigious University of Queensland, Australia, has been rolled out in Europe.
It began on a pilot basis last March and will be rolled out across 13 centres at a cost of €1million by the end of 2013.
More than 160 students will complete the programme by year end which will help them live more independent lives.
Longitudinal studies conducted at the University of Queensland on individuals with Down syndrome have revealed they do not in fact plateau in their development at the age of 12 which was previously widely believed to be the case.
This critical research highlights how teachers and professionals often do not know the potential of these people until they are provided with opportunities to develop their learning lifelong.
On this basis LATCH-ON was developed to provide greater opportunities for adults with Down syndrome to continue their literacy development in a post-secondary environment, using computer technology to enhance literacy, self-confidence, independence and employment opportunities.
The highly successful two-year post-school programme is unlike other literacy programmes for typically developed individuals and research has shown that it significantly improves students’ literacy and enhances their overall confidence in life.
Among those who have benefited from the programme is 28-year-old Amy Purcell from Kildare who is fulfilling her lifelong dream of being able to read and write and send text messages to her nephews and nieces for the first time.
Pat Clarke, Chief Executive of Down Syndrome Ireland, whose son David is enrolled in the programme, said: “The United Nations made 2003 – 2012 the decade for literacy and as literacy is a basic human right, we believe Irish people with Down syndrome have been ignored for far too long when it comes to our educational system. Educational opportunities depend on literacy and as we know literacy is the bedrock for basic education for all.”
He went onto say: “People with Down syndrome are still perceived as the eternal children. We want to change perceptions of them through education. If we attain this goal it will enable employers to view people with Down syndrome as potential employees.We have seen great achievements from this world class programme of education and sincerely hope it will enhance many people’s learning skills.”
Grainne Murphy, Director of Policy, Ethics and Independence with DSI said: “Latch-On has a strong foundation in educational research and practice. DSI is developing a community of practice – a community with literacy links to other social endeavours that assist in the development of lifelong learners,”
The students and their teachers from 13 educational centres across the country gathered at the Mansion House yesterday on World Down Syndrome Day.
Special guests included journalist and author Sylvia Thompson, author Tom Clonan and author Michael Gannon who has Down syndrome. Michael read a poignant passage from his book ‘Straight Up No Sugar’.
Posted: March 21, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mary Mitchell O’Connor welcomes reform of outdated in camera rule
Modernising family law structure will bring greater transparency while protecting need for privacy.
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the publication on 19th March by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, of the Courts Bill 2013. The Bill will see the in camera rule, which prevents members of the public from sitting in on family court hearings being altered.
“The in camera rule, while designed to take account of the sensitive nature of family law proceedings, is outdated and in need of reform. The publication today of this Bill by Minister Shatter will pave the way for bona fide members of the press to attend family court hearings, while continuing to pay heed to the delicate nature of family law cases and the need for privacy to be respected.
“This will allow for greater transparency in how cases are conducted and will give the public an understanding of how the family courts operate. We are entering a new era in terms of child protection in this country and this legislation will help to remove the element of secrecy that has existed until now when family law and child care proceedings are being heard.
“The Programme for Government commits to modernising aspects of family law and I am happy that the Minister is taking action in this regard. The Courts will still retain the power to exclude representatives of the press from proceedings and to instruct journalists about what can and cannot be reported. In all cases, it will be prohibited to publicise any material which identifies the parties to the case or the children who are central to proceedings.
“Family law cases are never easy and involve a considerable amount of stress and upset for those involved. I first raised this issue with Minister Shatter last July and am happy that so much progress has been made on the issue since that time. I will be continuing to press him on other areas of the family courts’ structure which I feel are in need of attention. The Government has given approval, in principle, for a referendum to be held on the restructuring of the Courts, which could see the establishment of a new, separate Family Court structure. This would, I believe, result in a far superior service for families and for child care proceedings down the line.”
Last Updated: March 18, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mary Mitchell O’Connor on Today Show
I really enjoyed being on the Today show RTE 1 on Friday 15th March with presenters Norah Casey and Bláithnaid Ní Chofaigh, and it was great to meet Aoibhinn Garrihy, who plays Neasa on “Fair City”.
Some of the things we discussed included career changes, plastic surgery and the upcoming visit of the Queen Mary II to Dun Laoghaire.
To view the show, click here
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
We love this video about Dun Laoghaire!
Have a look at this video showing some of the many wonderful things about Dun Laoghaire and add a Like!
This film is the winning entrant from the Dublin & North East Regional Final. It takes a look at Dun Laoghaire, highlighting local amenities while interviewing locals asking them what they like about the area. Produced by students from Colaiste Iosagain ( Mary Ann ni Riain, Nicki Ni Uaid, Hannah Ni Mhaitiu, and Aoife Nic an Mhanaigh).
Well done!
Dun Laoghaire video on YouTube
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