Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
333. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount it would cost to provide each student with a disability with assistive technology to complete their studies. [15651/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has a dedicated fund which supports and provides accommodations to students with disabilities in further and higher education. The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to eligible further and higher education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating student and contribute to the achievement of their full potential.
Funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations in any of the following broad categories: assistive technology equipment and software (including student training); non-medical helpers (e.g. personal assistants, note takers); academic/learning support; deaf supports (e.g. sign language interpreters, Speed Text); and transport support Eligible institutions receive block grant funding in respect of the FSD for a full calendar year. The disability support staff in each institution completes a needs assessment in respect of each student. On completion of the needs assessment, appropriate accommodations are then put in place to support the students’ journey through their chosen course. The nature and cost of the supports provided to each student varies depending on the particular needs of each student. As such, it is not possible to provide an estimated cost per student.
A range of other supports are also available to students. As part of our Covid response, my Department allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices. This initiative enabled a bulk purchase by HEAnet of approximately 16,500 Dell devices on behalf of further and higher education institutions. The key objective of this initiative was to address concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models of learning. This initiative allows for the redistribution of laptops when returned by students. The latest data available for the end of 2021, has confirmed that a total of 21,581 laptops were procured which supports 24,683 students. The Devolved Capital Grant which is issued annually to the HEIs also allows for the purchase of ICT equipment at the discretion of the HEI to address the digital divide for disadvantaged students.
Work on the development of the new National Access Plan which will cover the 2022-2026 period, is at an advanced stage. Officials in my Department are working closely with the Higher Education Authority and relevant Government Departments on finalising the content of the plan, including a range of key goals and actions. The plan is expected to be published in the first half of 2022.
