The National Access Plan 2022-2028 builds on the vision of previous plans and ambitions for a more inclusive and diverse student population in higher education.
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) delivers five strands that work together to widen participation and support student success. These interventions are increasing participation, improving student success, and embedding more inclusive practices across the higher education system. PATH 4 was developed over two phases, specifically to support students with a disability in accessing and progressing through Higher Education.
In 2022, a total of €3 million was allocated the PATH 4 Phase 1 Universal Design Fund, 2022-2024 to support the embedding of Universal Design (UD) approaches and inclusive practices in HEIs to the benefit of all students, in particular neuro-diverse students, and to enable building of capacity for greater participation by students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.
Key initiatives funded under the Universal Design Fund were: Teaching, Learning and Assessment; Staff Capacity and Institutional; Embedding Digital Environment; Built Environment; Student Supports and National Collaboration; and the adoption of the Altitude Charter.
In 2025, I announced that a further €2.8m was to be committed via the PATH 4 Phase 1 Inclusive Environment Fund, 2025-2026, to support institutions to continue to advance and build on progress towards embedding UD and inclusion, and to enhance a sense of belonging in higher education for the most under-represented groups.
Within the suite of planned activities in project plans, HEIs are encouraged to prioritise implementation of the findings and recommendations within the final report of the Joint Committee on Autism (2023), including in respect of the development of sensory maps and providing more autism-friendly tours of campuses throughout the year where these are not already in place.
The additional funding builds on the achievements of previous PATH 4 Phase 1 investment to further support enhanced participation and success for students, in particular those who may face additional barriers to engaging in higher education, such as students with disabilities and ethnic minority students.
Almost €450,000 of the Inclusive Environment Fund was specifically ringfenced to tackle prejudice and racism, in particular towards members of the Irish Traveller and Roma communities.
PATH 4, Phase 2 courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of students with an intellectual disability in higher education. This is a pathfinding programme with a budget of just over €11 million. 193 students are currently enrolled in 11 HEIs across a wide geographic spread. Initially for a two-year period and recently I extended these courses to run until at least 2028. These courses are designed around providing the students with opportunities to develop their personal skills for life and for employability, and to develop links with employers, and all programmes have a work experience element built in.
I have approved funding to hire an expert to develop a common evaluation instrument for PATH 4 Phase 2. The evaluation of the programme presents an invaluable opportunity to gather aggregated data at the national level on the outcomes and lessons emerging. It will also allow us to build a robust evidence-base to inform and guide future policy development. It is expected that the evaluation of the programme will be available in November of 2026. This will be critical in informing the next steps so that we can meet the Programme for Government commitment of expanding PATH 4 courses in a way which best meets the needs of our students.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities, (FSD) is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved higher education courses. Eligible students on an approved course can receive assistance from post-leaving certificate to doctoral level during any year of study. Full-time undergraduate courses must be not less than two years in duration.
In Budget 2026 I increased the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) in higher education, which brings it to over €10.5 million. Last year, the FSD supported over 21,000 students.
Each of Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities for learners with intellectual disabilities and additional needs.
ETBs deliver a range of programmes specifically for learners with additional learning needs. Under Specialist Training Provision (STP), for example, the 16 ETBs provide grant funding to third-party organisations to deliver training for learners who require more intensive support than is typically available in mainstream FET settings. In 2026, SOLAS allocated €45.16 million to ETBs for STP, including approximately €19.46 million for learner allowances.
SOLAS allocated funding to the 16 Education and Training Boards for the provision of 2,030 STP places annually in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Mainstream FET programmes, such as adult literacy, community education and PLC courses, are also accessible to all learners, including those with intellectual disabilities, subject to standard eligibility requirements. Provision is available in every community across Ireland and responds to a wide range of learning needs and aspirations, from unaccredited courses to courses accredited at Level 1 to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Through SOLAS, my Department provides resources to support accessibility in FET, including the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD), which funds supports such as assistive technology and non-medical assistance, mainly for PLC courses. A new Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities, introduced under the FSD, is being piloted in 2026 and is already enhancing access. Including this new Fund, €7.7 million has been allocated to the FSD in FET in 2026.
Phase 2 Courses
Fund for Students
