Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
75. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to conduct an audit of equity of access to Further Education and Training for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58640/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, meeting the education and training needs of all groups in our society is a long-standing core principle of the Further Education and Training (FET) system. In that context, a fully inclusive FET system is a priority for me in my role as Minister for State and for the Department. Inclusion is one of my Department's six strategic goals in its Statement of Strategy, and a core pillar of FET Strategy: Transforming Learning.
The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, more accessible and flexible education and training programmes and supports suited to the identified needs of individuals, including persons with a disability.
In 2017, SOLAS published ‘Barriers to Further Education and Training with Particular Reference to Long Term Unemployed Persons and Other Vulnerable Individuals’, and the implementation of this report is a condition of funding through the strategic funding arrangements between SOLAS and the 16 Education and Training Boards. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, it is planned that in 2022, SOLAS will commission further research to examine barriers to participation in FET, with particular reference to persons with a disability.
I can also assure the Deputy that there is ongoing engagement and monitoring in relation to provision and support within FET, including for persons with a disability, through the Strategic Performance Agreement process between SOLAS and the 16 Education and Training Boards.
In alignment with Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the FET sector is implementing Universal Design for Learning, and published 'UDL for FET Practitioners: Guidance for Implementing UDL in Irish Further Education and Training' guidelines earlier this year.
SOLAS are also currently overseeing an independent evaluation of Specialist Training Provision programme, which provides training for persons with a disability with higher support needs, to examine the quality, effectiveness, on-going relevance and overall value of training that is currently delivered by specialist training providers, and to propose any recommendations for future practice.
All of the foregoing initiatives and the broader operation of the FET system, including engagement with relevant stakeholders, provide SOLAS and the ETB system with very good insights and understanding on the access requirements of learners with disabilities which will help guide and inform future planning and delivery in this priority area.
I have also secured additional funding of €5m as part of Budget 2022 for the National Access and Inclusion Plan including a dedicated pilot Pathways project in higher education for students with intellectual disabilities. My officials have been engaging already with learners plus their advocates, and my intention is to hold a roundtable with learners, stakeholders and institutions to hear their views on how best to use this funding to meet the needs of learners with intellectual disabilities.
