Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2016
114. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of extending funding supports for persons with disabilities in higher education to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12156/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupports provided by my Department for students with disabilities in higher education include the Student Grant Scheme, the Free Fees Scheme, the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
The cost of funding undergraduate and post-graduate part-time students with disabilities for one academic year has been estimated at €5.67m. The AHEAD survey of 2014/15 identified the percentage of part-time students with disabilities to be circa 1% for Post Graduates and 1.5% for Undergraduates. This percentage figure has been applied to the latest HEA enrolment data for part-time students (2014/15 academic year) to estimate the cost.
The HEA estimate that it would cost an additional €172,000 per year to extend the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) to students participating part-time in higher education.
