Letter to Taoiseach.

We have sent this letter to the Taoiseach and the relevant Ministers.

Replies (if any received ) will be shown here as soon as possible .

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As an organisation which supports and advocates for children with Dyspraxia/DCD and their families, the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland would like to put on record our profound disappointment that the long awaited Referendum on the rights of children is to be postponed yet again.

We are adding our voice to many others in the disability and childrens’ rights sector who have lobbied, pleaded and explained, ad nauseum, the reasons why we need our children protected as equals under the Constitution.  Indeed many of our current government ministers were at the forefront of calls for a Referendum when in opposition.  After the Ryan and Murphy reports, after the investigations into the deaths of children in care, after the disappearance of other children also in care, while individuals continue to sue the state to get access to services and justice for their children, it is inexcusable that we are not holding this Referendum immediately.

The list of above* specifically reflects the departments with which children come into contact – the appointment of a Minister for Children was encouraging but we have been let down already.  Our members are at the receiving end of the lack joined-up thinking between your various portfolios and holding this Referendum would be a small step towards developing inclusive policies.

It appears the Government are either hiding behind the search for a perfect wording or are fearful of legal floodgates opening.   These are excuses which should not deter us as a nation from living up to our responsibilities.  Many aspects of a Constitution are aspirational, placing our children at the core of our society would be a first step towards a recognition of childrens’ rights.