On 2nd April, the interviews were held for the Down Syndrome Liaison nurse in AMNCH. That's the good news.

The bad news is that we subsequently learned - later the same day - that due to the "Implementation of Savings Measures on Public Service Numbers - Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Public Services", AMNCH were no longer able to offer a position to the successful candidate. The moratorium is now in place until the end of 2010 and the position in their terms is parked until then.

But not in ours. Since then we have been in contact with the Minister John Moloney's office and with Minister Barry Andrew's office asking them to put our request to the Minister for Finance for this position - one which we are funding in its entirety - to go ahead without delay. Any exception to the principle of the moratorium can be sanctioned by Minister Brian Lenihan.

The Dail sits again on April 21st when the junior minsterial positions will be reduced from 20 to 15.  We must now wait. Firstly to see if the Ministers whom we have  lobbied - John Moloney TD and Barry Andrews  TD remain in their positions and secondly, if their efforts can bring about the sanction we require to instate Ireland's first Down Syndrome Liaison Nurse.

Our frustration is great but the need for this post is even greater still.