Vol. 532 No. 2
86 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make accelerated workplace and IT courses available to people with disabilities who are completing their education late and want to enter the workforce. [6929/01]
FÁS has recently assumed responsibility for the provision of advice, guidance and training services in relation to vocational-employment skills training at a variety of levels for people with disabilities, and provides a range of grants and schemes aimed at employers, employees and participants for this purpose. In relation to education, a recent survey carried out by AHEAD has shown that 850 students with physical, sensory or learning disabilities participated in third level education in 1998-99. My Department administers a special fund under which grants are provided towards the cost of adaptive technology, readers, transport, interpreters, care assistants etc. to support students with disabilities to participate in PLC and third level courses. I increased significantly the allocation for the fund from £700,000 in 1999 to £1,233,000 in 2000. Last September I established an action group on access to third level education to advise me on the development of a co-ordinated national framework to promote the participation at third level of students with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature "second chance" students, building on the experience of current initiatives.
The main remit of the group was to advise on the barriers to participation by disadvantaged students in higher education, with particular regard to the commitment by this Government to provide £95 million under the national development plan to tackle under-representation. I have just received the report of the action group and I am at present considering its recommendations. In addition, 410 students with disabilities are participating on the vocational training opportunities scheme. VTOS provides second chance education and training of one and two years duration for adults over 21 who are at least six months unemployed. An allowance is paid in lieu of social welfare benefits. The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs also provides opportunities for this group to return to second, further or third level education and retain an allowance in lieu of social welfare entitlements.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 34.
