Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
620. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will commit to fund the WALK PEER Supported Transitions programme beyond the end of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39934/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this issue.
The Dormant Accounts Funded Transitions programme is a collaboration between my Department and Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK), an experienced NGO working in the area of disability services.
WALK is working with 10 schools – mostly special schools – to deliver their existing Peer Ability programme. The key objective is to ensure that students are supported to make optimal transitions from school. WALK will engage with participants for up to three years after they leave school.
Total funding of €2 million has been provided to WALK over 4 years to deliver this support. (€500,000 per year). In 2026 the DAF funding was reduced to €400,000. My Department has agreed to cover the €100,000 shortfall as an exceptional measure to allow WALK to complete the pilot which will finish this year.
Officials from my Department have had a number of discussions with WALK in relation to the programme. My Department recently received a submission to extend and expand the programme over the next 4 years at a cost of €1.75 million per year.
This proposal will require cross-departmental support. My officials are currently in the process of organising a meeting with DCDE, DFHERIS, HSE Adult Services and DSP to discuss this proposal.
