Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank Senator Clonan for raising this case again on the floor of the Seanad and for the comprehensive way in which he has put this across, which is testament to his continuing personal, professional and political work on this issue over many years. We are all truly grateful for that.

As for the wider issue, as the Senator knows, inclusion is a key aim of the Department of further and higher education and skills and equity inclusion are a key part of our aspirations. The Senator raised a particular case and he will understand the process of this House. It is right, however, to provide those families with that understanding of how these things work. A debate on the Order of Business requires a debate on a particular, wider topic and a direct response from the Minister is not necessarily provided, other than agreement to come to the House to make a statement. Perhaps that will still be followed up on. In taking a Commencement matter, my role is to address the more abstract, wider issue at hand. Therefore, my ability to go into the specifics of a case or particular higher institution is limited. The Senator will understand the reason that, irrespective of which Minister takes this Commencement matter, our hands are somewhat tied in that regard.

I do not want to read out the stock answer and tell the Senator how much we have increased funding and how many more people with disabilities are accessing third level education because that would be insulting, not just to Senator Clonan but to the people on whose behalf he is raising this issue. I will communicate to the Minister the need for a response but it is important, in seeking that response, that we are realistic about what exactly that response can do or what it will lead to. As the Senator knows, ultimately, this is an internal matter for the higher education institution in question. I could speak at length about uniformity of access because I have a ten-page response here. I could speak about the aims and aspirations of the Government in ensuring uniformity of access but it would not be specific to this case or institution. The issues the Senator has raised, which are in the public domain, have been raised previously by the Senator and by the national broadcaster and other broadcasters. They require the attention of the institution in question, the Higher Education Authority or the Ombudsman. We need to exhaust all three of those avenues. The Minister will not be able to make the level of direct intervention that all of us wish he could and there are very good reasons for that, as I think Senator Clonan will accept.

I wish to accept the Senator's offer, in rebuttal, to discuss his plan as to where this can be taken forward. I am more than happy to ensure a direct reply is provided to him and the family on whose behalf he is speaking. I will also seek a deputation meeting with the relevant line Minister and officials to see what exactly can be done from a ministerial and departmental point of view. That is the next relevant step. I have to be frank, however. This is a process that will run in parallel with the internal reviews and the institution to which the Senator is referring will have direct responses to each issue raised.