Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:750. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of young persons with Down's syndrome (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46549/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 13 January 2016
Ceisteanna (750)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that students with a special educational needs, including those with Down syndrome, have a range of options available to them in the higher and further education sectors. Some students choose to participate in educational programmes through further adult educational programmes or in adult settings.
While the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years, my Department may allocate funding towards an educational component of such provision.
This is generally transacted through the co-operation hours scheme operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) where the local service provider makes application to the relevant ETB for tuition hours. Funding is also provided to the National Learning Network for this purpose.
Young adults with disabilities are eligible to access Specialist Training Provision for persons with a disability organised through the ETB Sector who contract with Specialist Training Providers nationwide to deliver training to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist training provision. A range of specialist courses is available at two levels of training, Introductory Skills Training (IST) and Skill Specific Training (SST) and includes in-centre, employer based and blended learning approaches to accommodate learners' training needs. These training courses lead to awards at levels 3-5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Entry to specialist training is open to all persons with disabilities over 16 years of age.
Specialist training offers additional supports to learners, including individualised training and progression plans, literacy and numeracy support, longer training duration, adapted equipment, transport arrangements, enhanced programme content and lower trainer/learner ratio.
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme also provides a third level admissions scheme for school leavers who have a disability or specific learning difficulty. Students who are considered to be DARE eligible may secure a college.The main support for students with disabilities in higher and further education is provided by the Fund for Students with Disabilities, which is available to any full-time student in HE or FE with a verifiable disability.
In relation to higher education options for persons with intellectual disabilities, courses are provided for people with intellectual disabilities in the following higher education institutions: Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, St. Angela's College, Sligo, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology, Tralee. Course details are available on the websites of the relevant institutions.