Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on any progress made to resolve the terms and conditions of employment of personal assistants who work in some education and training boards; if he will provide a timeline for when the issue is expected to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15102/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, where an Education and Training Board (ETB) or PLC college employs personal assistants to provide services under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD), responsibility for the terms of employment rests with the individual ETB/ Further Education College. SOLAS provides FSD funding to the ETBs who manage the funding allocations to PLC colleges for services and accommodations required to support students with disabilities in accordance with the guidelines issued by SOLAS.
The Strategic Performance Agreements for 2022-24 agreed between SOLAS and the individual ETBs provide for the rolling out of the FSD across all FET provision. SOLAS has advised the Department that it will be reviewing the learner supports and associated guidelines and my Department has requested SOLAS to examine the provision of personal assistant services as part of its review.
