Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
986. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline what the fund for students with disabilities covers; the amount that is allocated to each category across all FETs; the amount that is allocated to transport across all FETs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department prioritises inclusion across further and higher education, aligning with the Programme for Government, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (2025–2030), and the forthcoming FET Strategy.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to help them offer supports and services that enable eligible students to participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD is currently mainly available to learners on Post-Leaving Certificate courses. According to SOLAS’ guidelines, supports available through the FSD include:
• Assistive technology equipment and software
• Non-medical helpers such as personal assistants and notetakers
• Academic/learning/examination support
• Supports for students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Transport support
• Supports for work placements.
SOLAS has advised officials that over 3,500 learners benefited from the FSD in 2024. Data for 2025 is not yet available.
My Department secured an additional €2 million for the FSD in FET as part of Budget 2026, bringing the total allocation for 2026 to €7.7 million (including Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools). This increase includes dedicated funding for transport supports for learners with intellectual disabilities participating in a range of FET courses. Officials have now agreed a mechanism with SOLAS to implement this funding, and it is expected that learners will begin to benefit shortly. This new element of the FSD is called the Learners with Intellectual Disabilities Transport Fund.
The attached file sets out the FSD allocation provided by SOLAS to each ETB. Under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, each ETB is responsible for allocating this funding across the various FSD support categories according to local needs.
