Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2025
1037. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to examine the provision of the personal assistants initiative for persons with a disability in third level institutions to ensure consistency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39530/25]
View answerSupporting the participation and success of learners with disabilities is a critical national priority.
Officials from my Department are currently taking the next step on establishing a working group of key stakeholders to identify how the Department could work with and link to existing transition processes and to ensure that students and parents are provided with the information they need to access the third-level sector.
The aim is to map the provision of supports and services across FE and HE, and document the levels of supports and services provided, identify models of good practice, and identify the support gaps across the system.
On the employment side, it is our intention, with the assistance of a steering group to develop a potential model to support students with disabilities seeking work experience opportunities and / or employment.
This project aligns with the National Disability Strategy, which is due to be published in 2025, and Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
