Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Questions (1425)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1425. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider direct intervention to provide additional financial support to personal assistants currently working in colleges of further education throughout the country, who have consistently highlighted the discrepancy and inequality between SNAs in primary and post primary schools and personal assistant contracts which is creating an unsustainable financial situation (details supplied); and if any consideration is been given to the situation. [39654/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to higher and further education institutions for the delivery of key services and supports for students with disabilities. It aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating students. SOLAS provides FSD funding to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who independently manage the funding allocations to PLC further education providers for services and accommodations required to support students with disabilities. Where an ETB or further education college employs personnel to deliver supports to individual students, responsibility for the terms of employment rests with the individual ETB / further education college.

SOLAS has advised that the expenditure by the ETBs under the FSD increased to €2.98m in 2021 and that the allocation for 2022 has increased to €4.1m.