Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
252. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in line with recommendation 59 of the Autism Committee’s recent report (details supplied), what would be the cost of funding the rollout of the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities across all Higher Education Institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51544/23]
View answerTrinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) aims to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in education and society. The mission is to enable people with an intellectual disability to develop their potential by a combination of high quality research, dissemination of new knowledge, lifelong learning and professional training. The Centre provides people who have intellectual disabilities with the opportunity to participate in a higher education programme designed to enhance their capacity to fully participate in society as independent adults. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the students who have attended the Trinity Centre and hearing first hand how this has benefitted their lives.
I have been very clear that I want to see enhanced opportunities for students with an intellectual disability to attend our Higher Education Institutions. I launched a new strand of the Programme for Access to Higher Education PATH Strand 4 in 2022. The PATH fund supports the objectives of the National Access plan and PATH 4 is a dedicated €12 million of funding which will be invested between 2022-2025 in supporting Universal Design and enhancing opportunities for students with an intellectual disability to participate in Higher Education.
Path 4 Phase 1: Supporting Universal Design €3 million in funding has been provided for Universal Design measures. Projects are currently ongoing to improve accessibility for all students
Path 4 Phase 2's objective is to Enhance Provision for Students with an intellectual disability: A competitive call for proposals has recently closed. This call sought proposals on how institutions would enhance provision for students with an intellectual disability. Proposals have been received and are currently being assessed. A total of €3 million each year over 3 years will be available to support successful projects. PATH 4 is a new initiative for my Department and it will inform policy going forward. As outlined a dedicated fund is being provided for this initiative. The Reporting on PATH 4 Phase 2 during the course of the initiative will provide the Department with a better understanding of the cost of provision and we will be monitoring this.
As such, it is not possible to provide costing figure at this time.
