Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the €12 million funding announced to third level students with autism. It will make colleges autism friendly through the use of apps. I understand that it is €3 million for this year. The three third level colleges in my own part of the country, University of Limerick, UL, Technological University of the Shannon and Mary Immaculate College, will receive more than €400,000. While this is very welcome, no provision has been made for students who are studying part time.

I know a student who has autism and mental health issues. She is studying for a masters and hopes to complete a PhD. However, it is not right that she was disqualified from a SUSI grant. She is studying part time because the college recommended that it would be more beneficial for her in doing a masters. The student is highly intelligent but it was deemed that it would be easier for her to do it on a part-time basis. There is no provision for part-time students. I have written to the Department about it. I would like to have a debate on how students who are studying part time could be brought into the category. They should certainly not be disenfranchised from being able to access the SUSI grant.

I congratulate UL on receiving three awards at the national Digital Media Awards recently, including a gold medal.