Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Ó Murchú. That is a very good summary of what we are trying to do. As Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said, having the evaluation is key to this. As we discussed in some detail at the Joint Committee on Autism, the cliff edge has moved for far too many students from getting from primary to secondary school or from getting from secondary school to third level. That is what we are trying to fix. It can be fixed in a couple of ways. I am a great believer in universal design. I have seen many good examples of it. That is why tranche 1 is about universal design guided by the NDA, with projects approved by a panel involving the NDA and the HEA. Evaluation will then take place afterward. I am happy to keep the House informed on that. We also need to recognise that there will still be a need for specific programmes. Even with all the universal design in the world, there is still a need for the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities and for some of the good initiatives Deputy Ó Cathasaigh referenced in DCU. In phase 2, there will be €3 million a year over three years to get HEIs to come forward with particular programmes for students with intellectual disabilities. If we can get this right, it could be a game-changer.

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