Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1274. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the number of personal assistants employed in the further education and training system; the number of full-time equivalent personal assistants, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30625/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1275. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of personal assistants employed in the further education and training system; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of full-time equivalent personal assistants employed by ETB, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30626/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1276. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the justification for the working conditions of personal assistants in the further education and training system including no pay scale, pension and being forced to sign on in the summer; if he will consider providing personal assistants with similar employment terms provided to SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30627/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1277. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to the Exchequer of providing personal assistants in the further education and training system with the same employment conditions as SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30628/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1274, 1275, 1276 and 1277 together.
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. While historically administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), responsibility for the Fund in the further education and training sector transferred to SOLAS during 2020. 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. Funding can be used to provide a range of supports and accommodations including non-medical helpers such as personal assistants and notetakers.
Need assessments determine the supports and accommodations requested for students and the individual ETB/ further education college is responsible for decisions on the most appropriate support to meet the needs of the student, in accordance with the guidelines issued by SOLAS.
As noted in the SOLAS Guidelines, 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.
The detail sought on the number of personal assistants employed by ETBs under the Fund for Students with Disabilities is being requested from the ETBs and will be forwarded to the Deputy when received.
