Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1065. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending the fund for students with disabilities to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31535/21]
View answerThe Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is the principal funding source for students with disabilities in further and higher education. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to further and higher education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating student and contribute to the achievement of their full potential.
The 2017 review of the Fund for Students with Disabilities recommended the extension of FSD supports to learners on part-time courses in Irish higher education institutions. This recommendation was implemented on a pilot basis in 2018 whereby institutions were invited to begin preparations for the inclusion of learners on part-time courses under the fund by using their existing allocations to assist such students. The Fund has continued to support part-time students since the introduction in 2018.
The number of students supported under the Fund is circa 14,000 at an average cost of €686 per student. The number of part-time students supported, as reported by the institutions, was 340 in 2018/19 and 463 in 2019/20.
