Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
127. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail the plans in relation to facilitating those with disabilities and special needs to access further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new National Access Plan which was launched in August aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body while addressing the wider challenges faced by students.
Students with disabilities will continue to be a priority group in the new plan and for the first time the plan will have a particular focus on students with an intellectual disability.
Delivery of the Plan is supported by the PATH programme, which will receive an additional dedicated investment of €35 million over the course of the plan. This year, funding will support new measures to strengthen Universal Design for students in higher education, including those with autism, and to enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.
This year a dedicated Strand 4 was launched to support learners with a disability especially those with an intellectual disability through dedicated funding of €12 million over four years. This will be implemented in two phases.
Phase 1 will comprise a once off fund totalling €3 million for Universal Design, to be allocated to higher education institutions in 2022. This will advance inclusive practices in higher education and support student success for all students but with particular benefit to students with special educational needs.
Phase 2 will involve a competitive funding call for a new three year path finding pilot programme, with a strong emphasis on course provision for students with intellectual disabilities which is expected to commence in 2023.
These financial supports sit alongside a dedicated Fund for Students with Disabilities, which aims to ensure that students can participate fully in education, on an equal basis with their peers.
Disability supports are also available to participants on FET programmes depending on the specific circumstances with funding dispersed under general individual programme. Within the FET sector, a broad range of supports are provided through the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to support the participation of all learners, including those with disabilities.
In addition, the FET Strategy 2020 – 2024 is moving towards a Universal Design approach, whereby disability supports are integrated into mainstream provision insofar as is possible, with specialised supports reserved for people with needs that cannot be met through mainstream provision. Individualised supports, for addressing more specific needs among a smaller subset of learners will, of course, be maintained and promoted.
