Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
225. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can confirm that funding (details supplied) comes from the National Access Plan, and for the avoidance of confusion, that this does not constitute new or additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32958/23]
View answerAn inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. My priority is to deliver a more equitable higher education system.
The fourth National Access Plan 2022-2028 was launched on August 31 2022 setting out our ambition to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress across the higher education sector.
Budget 2022 provided an additional dedicated investment of €35 million. (€5 million over 7 years) to support the objectives of the National Access Plan. Part of this funding has been allocated to a new PATH initiative - PATH 4.
PATH 4 Phase 1 was launched in 2022 with objectives of supporting the embedding of Universal Design (UD) approaches and inclusive practices in HEIs to benefit all students and in particular autistic students and enable the building of capacity in HEIs for greater participation by students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. 19 HEIs received a total of €3 million in Phase 1 to support these objectives.
PATH 4 Phase 2 involves a competitive call for proposals to Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) for additional course provision in Higher Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. I launched the competitive call on the 29th of June 2023. This asks HEI’s to consider how they can enhance provision for students with an intellectual disability and a total fund of €9 million over 3 years is available, from funding secured in Budget 2022, to support enhanced provision. A lot of consultation has taken place with students to inform this call for proposals and I look forward to receipt of proposals for consideration later this year.
