Vol. 507 No. 2
280 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science if the application made by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for assistance from the fund administered by him to enable people with disabilities to participate in third level education will be favourably considered. [16546/99]
The person referred to by the Deputy has recently written to my Department requesting funding from the special fund for students with disabilities towards the cost of a certificate course in counselling at a third level institution in England.
The special fund for students with disabilities is administered by my Department to assist students who have special needs in attending third level institutions and, from 1998, students attending approved post leaving certificate courses. Grants are provided to students for the purchase of special equipment, special materials, technological aids, targeted transport services, sign language assistants/interpreters and personal assistants.
The allocation to the special fund for students with disabilities for the 1998-99 academic year was fully expended during the 1998 financial year. The allocation for 1999-2000 will be distributed as early as possible in the forthcoming academic year. My officials will be in contact with this student regarding her request for funding in due course.
