National Resource Team (NRT)

The National Resource Team at Down Syndrome Ireland provide specialist support in the areas of Education, Counselling, Health and Independence to our members and the professional community.

 

Director of Policy, Ethics & Independence
Grainne Murphy BSc. (Hons) MIASLT
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Gráinne joined Down Syndrome Ireland's National Resource Team in 2008. Her main role within the organisation is to provide up-to-date information and advice to people with Down syndrome and their families through local and national seminars that promote the the objectives of independence.

 

Gráinne works closely with our counsellor in developing and facilitating various programmes and projects for adults with Down syndrome. She also provides Disability Awareness Training to employers on behalf of our members.Gráinne is heavily involved in promoting the participation of adults with Down syndrome in the political process. She has represented DSI at the European commission and European parliament where she has addressed issues for people with Down syndrome at European level. She further engages in research and collaboration with several European Down Syndrome Associations.

Grainne is a speech and language therapist by profession, having studied for four years in NUI, Galway. She has previously worked as a speech and language therapist with the Health Service Executive, with specific clinical and research interests in learning disability. Gráinne was instrumental in the formation of Down Syndrome Ireland's special interest group for speech & language therapists which has a membership in excess of 140 therapists from across Ireland and aims to promote evidence based practice and promote research and training in the field.

Contact details: Telephone:0872535809 , Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

While our director of Policy, Ethics and Independence, Ms Grainne Murphy, is on Maternity Leave, Nicola Hart will provide a limited service to our members.

Nicola Hart, Bsc, MIASLT.

Nicola Hart is originally from Wales and is a speech and language therapist by profession.  She moved to Ireland 19 years ago and spent 16 years living and working in life sharing communities in Co Kildare, living with teenagers and adults with Intellectual Disabilities. A particular focus for the last few years was promoting personal development and self- advocacy, issues around informed consent, relationships and sexuality education and producing policy information in an accessible format.

Nicola will continue to work part time as a branch Speech and Language Therapist, while joining the National resource team as an advisor on adult issues.

She is also currently involved in the development of software to facilitate speech, communication and independent living skills in adults with ID.

Nicola will be available for telephone contact 7.30-9.30 Monday evenings and also most Friday mornings, 9-2. Tel:0870997260

 

Counsellor / Drama Therapist, Director of National Resource Team
May Gannon BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

 

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May Gannon is a native of Kilkenny and lives in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with her husband Michael and three adult children, Jenny, Michael and Eoin. Michael has Down syndrome. In 1985 May began her association with Down Syndrome Ireland as a volunteer parent working at branch level. She served as the Kildare representative on National Executive Committee of Down Syndrome Ireland and for ten years and was a member of the editorial team of their magazine. May completed a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA (Hons) in Dramatherapy. She is a fully accredited member of the National Association for Pastoral Counselling and Psychotherapy and a member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists.
May is currently the leader of the National Resource Team of Down Syndrome Ireland and provides therapy and education for parents, family members who have Down syndrome, siblings and extended family members. She works closely with other team members to develop innovative ways of addressing areas of personal development and healthy lifestyles which lead to emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of teenagers and adults who have Down syndrome.
May provides information for trainee mid-wives and trainee neo-natal nurses and is consulted by schools and colleges on areas of personal development, sexuality and behaviour management. She works with Branches to deliver information on a range of issues: information for parents on emotional well being, handling stress, behaviour issues in children, parent plus programmes, preparing for puberty and sexuality. May also trains parents to be support workers for new parents.
Contact details: Telephone 1890 629 629 (locall number) or0879607939, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Research Nurse

Fiona McGrane, CNM11, RNID, RCN

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Fiona Mc Grane was appointed as research nurse Down syndrome in July 2010, based at Trinity College Dublin Department of Paediatrics National Childrens Hospital Tallaght. This post is supported by Down syndrome Ireland. Fiona holds a diploma in social care awarded by Stockport University. She is a qualified paediatric nurse and also an intellectual disability nurse. Fiona has a broad experience in acute paediatric nursing and also with children and adults with an intellectual disability. Her role is to provide support and education and to conduct research in the area of Down syndrome.

 

Contact details: Telephone 01 8963785 or 087 8334916. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Education Consultants

Down Syndrome Ireland Education Consultants are available in several locations around Ireland. They will provide parents with information on general education issues such as:

  • strategies for working in partnership with the child's school
  • supports available to children with special educational needs (SNAs, Resource Teachers, etc.)
  • how parents can support the development of literacy and numeracy skills

Patricia Griffin, Education Officer

Patricia works three days each week as Education Officer with Down Syndrome Ireland.   Patricia brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the classroom for many years.  She also worked as a DEIS Co-ordinator, gaining valuable experience liaising with parents and external agencies.  Patricia has also worked for over 20yrs with Accord as a counsellor.

Patricia is married to Kevin and an active member of the Kerry Branch of DSI since 1993, when her son Cathal (youngest of 8 children) was born. She has served on the committee in Kerry as secretary and chairperson.

Telephone 083 4000226. Available for telephone queries on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.

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Jenny Gannon (Kildare) is a qualified secondary and primary school teacher. She qualified from Mater Dei in 1999, and from
Hibernia College in 2005. She has also completed a Masters Degree in Diversity in Education at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin. Jenny has been teaching for 11 years. She is currently working as Home School Community Liaison Teacher in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Her brother has Down syndrome. Jenny has worked in schools and community groups with children who have Down syndrome.

 

 

Telephone: 086 8094424 Available for telephone calls Tuesday evening
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Mary Henry (Sligo) is a qualified primary school teacher. She is a principal working in County Sligo. She qualified from St. Mary's
University College, Strawberry Hill, London in 2001. She has completed modules in inclusive education with St. Patrick's College, Dublin. She did the Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education in Dublin qualifying in 2010. She has taught every class level. At present she is working closely with Special Education as a Learning Support/Resource teacher.

 

Telephone: 071 9189166 Available for calls Tuesday evenings.

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Early Development Advisor

Mary Cronin has recently joined the National Resource Team at Down Syndrome Ireland as a part-time Early Development Advisor.

 

Her main role is to offer non-medical advice and support for parents of children in early development.

Mary is a registered Nurse (RNID) and has a H.Dip in Intellectual Disability from UCD. She has over 35 years' experience in the area of Intellectual Disability, and has been at the forefront in developing and upgrading both child development and health services in Co Wicklow

Contact :+353 83 1028145, Wednesdays  6.30 -10p.m.

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