Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1488. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the review of access to further education to those with disabilities; the timeline on this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37164/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, SOLAS provides funding under the Fund for Students with Disabilities 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 wider FET provision. SOLAS is currently reviewing the roll out of consistent learner supports prior to the issuing of revised associated guidelines and my Department has requested SOLAS to examine the provision of personal assistant services as part of this review.
SOLAS are also undertaking an independent evaluation of the ‘Specialist Training Provision for People with Disabilities’ programme. The purpose of the evaluation is to generate evidence-based conclusions and propose recommendations about the quality, effectiveness, on-going relevance and overall value of vocational training that is currently delivered by ‘Specialist Training Provision’ and the integration of this training within the wider further education and training provision by ETBs. The evaluation is underway and due for completion in Q4 2023.
Widening Participation is one of the 12 national targets for the FET system under the Strategic Performance Agreements for 2022-24 with a target of returning participation levels of key groups, including those with a disability, to preCovid 2019 levels. The national system target for 2022 of 16,788, was exceeded with the ETBs reporting 18,810 unique learners from these key groups. The number of learners with a disability was 12,578.
