Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Nov 1994

Vol. 447 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Courses for Disabled.

Richard Bruton

Question:

302 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether courses provided for persons with a disability are regularly assessed for the purpose of establishing a clear national classification and certification; and if he has developed exchange opportunities between general training centres and training centres specialising in providing service for persons with a disability. [3240/94]

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The National Rehabilitation Board (NRB), which is an executive agency of my Department, has responsibility for approving and monitoring vocational training for people with disabilities. The accepted standard for course design, with appropriate modifications, is the National Standard for Training Specifications QA58/01 (FÁS). In addition, the requirement for courses to lead to the award of nationally recognised certification ensures that trainees leaving special training centres have the same qualification as those leaving mainstream training centres. All courses are classified according to the level of training and the level which apply in special training centres are thus linked to national and European training levels via certification.

There are also linkages between special training and mainstream training centres in respect of:

Integrated pilot programmes e.g. courses for trainees with a disability held in mainstream centres; courses where the trainee target group include people with disabilities.

FÁS, CERT, Teagasc and the NBR, as a EUROFORM initiative, have developed certification in Introductory Skills for trainees in their respective centres. Design and delivery briefings were conducted on an integrated basis (i.e. mainstream and special trainers). It is anticipated that this certification will be available in early 1995.

EU Training Exchange programmes funded by HORIZON for specialist trainers.

Negotiations between the NRB and FÁS, CERT and Teagasc have not only gained access for disabled trainees to national certification but have also increased these organisations' awareness of the needs of people with disabilities and stimulated them to look at their policies.

A foundation trainer qualification programme for trainers working with people with disabilities — Certification in Special Needs — was developed by NRB in conjunction with St. Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1992. To date 160 trainers have qualified and a further 98 commenced their studies in September, 1994. This course fully includes the FÁS/Maynooth Foundation Certificate in Training Technology — the mainstream qualification for trainers.