Third Level Reform

Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Questions (895)

Pa Daly

Question:

895. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being put in place for those with special educational needs within further and higher education; the resources that have been given to this area over the past five years;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24720/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

At Higher Education level, the fourth National Access Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education 2022-2028 was published in August 2022. The National Access Plan (NAP) is a key commitment in the Programme for Government with an additional dedicated investment of €35 million. A specific target of 16% for new entrants with a disability has been set in the NAP. After 2 years of the plan 13.8% of students with a disability are attending higher level up from 12.4% in 2022.

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is a multi-strand initiative that supports time-bound programmes and projects with innovative approaches to deliver the ambitions, goals, objectives, actions and targets of the National Access Plan. For the first time ever a new Strand, PATH 4, which will be rolled out over two phases is included which targets students with disabilities including those with intellectual disabilities.

PATH 4 Phase 1 – In January 2023, €3 million was announced to support HEIs for the implementation of universal design and inclusive practices on their campuses and enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. This fund was increased by an additional €1.8 million in February 2024 to continue the Universal Design progress made and to focus on the provision of supports for Students with Autism as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism.

PATH 4 Phase 2 – In February 2024, my Department announced the roll-out of higher education courses for students with an intellectual disability. With an investment of over €10 million over three years, the courses are to be delivered in 10 higher education colleges across the country and will provide significant opportunities for students. This pilot project will be a significant opportunity for students with an Intellectual disability and will provide guidance and direction for future course provision.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) in Higher Education funds HEIs to provide services and support to students with disabilities. FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland.

In December 2023, additional funding to help students with a disability access third level education was announced , increasing the 2024 allocation by 5%, bringing the total to €8 million for the first time ever.

Fund for Students with Disabilities	2020	2021	2022	2023
Core Allocation Higher Education	€7,658,000	€7,658,000	€7,658,000	€7,658,000
Number of recipients in Higher Education	13201	14358	15670	16699

In FET the Fund for Students with a Disability which is administered by SOLAS for the further education and training sector for 2024 will amount to €5.7m, reflecting the additional allocation of €2m to support the progressive roll-out of the FSD across all Further Education programmes. Some of this allocation is being used to fund the increase in the hourly rate payable to Personal Assistants in the ETBs.

The expenditure on the Fund since 2020 is set out in the following table.

Fund for Students with Disabilities	FY 2020	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023
Fund for Students with Disabilities	FY 2020	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023
Further Education & Training Fund SOLAS	€1,031,275	€4,279,914	€4,139,360	€4,262,345

The terms of reference for a review of Personal Assistance services funded from the Fund for Students with Disabilities across tertiary education settings are currently being finalised.

Guidance for implementing Universal Design for Learning in FET was published by SOLAS in collaboration with ETBI and AHEAD and its roll-out across the FET sector has been supported by a series of online interactive seminars.

SOLAS also collaborates with a number of agencies on specific initiatives to the participation of people with disabilities, with the funding over the past 5 years set out in the following table:

Organisation	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
	€000	€000	€000	€000	€000
AHEAD	58	136	197	244	268
Down Syndrome Ireland	N/A	N/A	140	64	296
Dyslexia Assoc of Ireland	131	130	103	191	191
Irish Deaf Society	317	479	362	663	692
Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities	N/A	169	160	160	160

Specialist Training Provision (STP) is an important aspect of service provision within the Fostering Inclusion pillar of the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024. STP providers deliver free training courses for people with who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist training provision. Entry to specialist training is open to all persons with disabilities and extra support needs.

SOLAS commissioned an independent evaluation of the Specialist Training Provision which offers tailored education and training opportunities for learners with disabilities requiring more intensive support. This provision is available in every ETB with 2,700 learners participating on STP programmes in 2023 at a cost of some €40m. The evaluation is to get evidence-based conclusions and propose recommendations regarding the quality, effectiveness, ongoing relevance and overall value of the training delivered. It will also examine the integration of this training within the broader further education and training provision offered by ETBs. The evaluation is expected by the end of June, following which, SOLAS and my Department will review its findings in consultation with the training providers.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.