Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2025
292. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures in place to support the Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education Institutions; to list the institutions which received funding under Path 4 Phase 1 of the National Access Plan; and the amount of funding they received. [36409/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fourth National Access Plan, was published in August 2022.
One of the two overarching ambitions of this Plan is ‘that our higher education institutions are inclusive, universally designed environments which support student success and outcomes, equity and diversity’.
PATH 4 Phase 1 Universal Design and Inclusive Environment Funds:
In 2022, €3 million was allocated to higher education institutions (HEIs) by the HEA under the PATH 4 Phase 1 Universal Design Fund. The purpose of this funding was to support the embedding of Universal Design approaches and inclusive practices in HEIs to the benefit of all students, in particular neurodiverse students, and to enable building of capacity for greater participation by students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a core element of a Universal Design approach. This funding has been a key enabler in achieving progress towards the adoption of inclusive practices and more inclusive physical and digital environments in HEIs.
With the support of the PATH 4 Phase 1 Universal Design Fund, 25 education stakeholders collaborated extensively to develop a Universal Design framework for the tertiary sector, the ALTITUDE Charter, which was formally launched in March 2024. The project involved six national agencies, fifteen HEIs and six Education and Training Board (ETB) representatives, and culminated in the development of the ALTITUDE Charter and an accompanying technical report and toolkit. The Charter functions as a roadmap for institutions to guide the adoption of an effective, holistic and coherent approach to embedding a universal design approach across the sector. It recommends key strategic enablers that institutions should put in place over time, in addition to proposing actions towards goals under 4 key pillars: Learning, Teaching & Assessment; Supports, Services & Social Engagement; the Physical Environment; and the Digital Environment.
I recently announced that a further €2.8 million has been committed to promote inclusion and support increased participation and success for students in higher education. The Inclusive Environment Fund will enable institutions to continue to advance and build on progress towards embedding universal design and inclusion up to the end of 2026.
The breakdown of funding provided under PATH 4 Phase 1 is provided in the table below.
|
PATH 4 Phase 1 Funding Allocations |
|
|
|
|
Higher Education Institution |
Universal Design Fund Allocation (2022-2024) |
Inclusive Environments Fund Allocation (2024-2026) |
Total PATH 4 Phase 1 Funding |
|
Dublin City University |
179,000 |
179,263 |
358,263 |
|
University of Galway |
213,000 |
202,095 |
415,095 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
213,000 |
208,662 |
421,662 |
|
University College Cork |
241,000 |
233,352 |
474,352 |
|
University College Dublin |
306,000 |
307,589 |
613,589 |
|
University of Limerick |
169,000 |
163,328 |
332,328 |
|
Maynooth University |
170,000 |
163,567 |
333,567 |
|
TU Dublin |
306,000 |
281,630 |
587,630 |
|
Munster Technological University |
180,000 |
167,088 |
347,088 |
|
TU Shannon |
160,000 |
162,761 |
322,761 |
|
Atlantic Technological University |
206,000 |
256,270 |
462,270 |
|
St Angela's College* |
52,000 |
52,000 |
|
|
South East Technological University |
202,000 |
181,984 |
383,984 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
82,000 |
73,734 |
155,734 |
|
National College of Art & Design |
58,000 |
47,315 |
105,315 |
|
Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
65,000 |
57,216 |
122,216 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
85,000 |
74,229 |
159,229 |
|
Marino Institute of Education |
52,000 |
37,483 |
89,483 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
61,000 |
48,187 |
109,187 |
|
TOTAL |
3,000,000 |
2,845,750 |
5,845,750 |
*Please note that St Angela's was amalgamated into ATU in 2023 and received a joint allocation for the Inclusive Environments Fund Allocation (2024-2026).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
