Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
91. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way supports for students with disabilities in further and higher education aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12759/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Government formally ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018 and it entered into force on 19 April 2018. The Convention seeks to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities are the two key policy leavers operating across Government. My department is represented on the steering committees of both strategies to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland are progressively realised.
My department has recently published a number of policy documents which articulate policy responses for key groups, including persons with disabilities. The Further Education and Training Strategy 2020-2024 includes plans to target priority groups who have diverse needs, such as people with disabilities. The 10 year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy (2021-30), which was launched last September, outlines a cross-Government approach to reduce the number of adults in Ireland who have unmet literacy, numeracy and digital skills needs. People with a disability are one of the key target groups within the strategy.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship (2021-25) was launched in April 2021. One of the five unambiguous objectives in the plan is ‘Apprenticeship for all’, meaning that the profile of the apprenticeship population will more closely reflect the profile of the general population. The explicit ‘deliverables’ underpinning this include an apprenticeship structure that is inclusive in terms of access and delivery.
I intend to publish the Strategic Action Plan for Equity, Participation and Success in Higher Education (2022-2026) in the coming weeks. The new plan will include specific supports for persons with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
I believe that my Department can play a leading role in terms of improving opportunities for people with disabilities. My Department will continue to play its part in improving opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage in education, undertake apprenticeships and gain meaningful employment.
