Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
32. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to add more courses in the further education sector specifically designed for people with disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her question.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to provide a step change in the supports and services required by people with disabilities, making education accessible for everyone is the hallmark of this Government’s approach to the Further and Higher Education sector. My Department is working to make the system more responsive to the needs of learners and breaking down the barriers that previously stopped those with a disability from accessing tertiary education.
Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars of the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024. Learners with disabilities are one of the key ‘priority groups’ under this Strategy. I can assure the Deputy that inclusion will remain a priority in the new FET strategy for 2025 - 2029 that SOLAS is currently finalising.
There are a range of programmes and initiatives within FET that provide specific support to learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract providers to offer vocational training programmes, in specific settings, for persons with disabilities, who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist provision.
In addition, some of the ETBs collaborate with organisations such as Down Syndrome Ireland to develop programmes. City of Dublin ETB and Down Syndrome Ireland, for example, are currently rolling out the Work Ready programme in Finglas at level 2 of the National Framework for Qualifications in office work, retail/hospitality and hairdressing/barbering. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Down Syndrome Ireland and some of their learners who shared with me how these programmes have positively impacted their lives.
A key priority of SOLAS and the ETBs is to make all of FET accessible to people with disabilities and to ensure their success, with a range of initiatives being delivered in support of this. FET services are increasingly underpinned by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals an equal opportunity to learn. UDL approaches aim to reduce obstacles by introducing more flexible methods of teaching, assessment and service provision to cater to all learning styles.
My Department through SOLAS also funds agencies such as AHEAD and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland to deliver programmes for learners with disabilities and/or to support their participation in mainstream FET. Finally, Budget 2025 secured funding for a project that will develop a model of person-centred supports for learners with disabilities in tertiary education, which will inform Departmental policy.
