Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes I am asked a question that makes me eager to ask questions in return because I am interested in this area. The Department wants to hear a little bit more from the Deputy on this. I will read what I have and we might engage a bit more on it. The fund for students with disabilities provides funding to higher and further education institutions for the delivery of services and supports for students with disabilities. We know this. The fund is intended to assist in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis. This funding can be used to provide support and accommodation in a range of broad categories, including non-medical helpers, personal assistants and notetakers.

The disability support services in higher education institutions complete a needs assessment in respect of each student. On completion of the needs assessment, disability support staff in the institution determine the nature and level of supports, such as a non-medical assistant or a personal assistant, required by students. They can draw down from the fund for students with disabilities to provide these supports. In further education, need assessments determine the supports and accommodations requested for students and the individual education and training board or further education college is responsible for decisions on the most appropriate support to provide to the student.

I checked this out when I saw the question. We are not aware of the issue mentioned by the Deputy. I am sure she has more information. Perhaps it has been raised by a particular institution with her. If she is happy to share information with me now or afterwards in more detail we will certainly examine the matter. I want to be very clear that the entire policy rationale of the funding is that it is on a needs-based approach. The ultimate answer to the Deputy's question is that it should not have a rigid application whereby it must be this or that. It is about a needs-based assessment for each student and the institution then draws down from the fund. I am not aware of any such rigidity and if the Deputy has come across it I would be very happy to work with her on it.

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