Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to research carried out for the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability which found that there are insufficient support staff for students with disabilities who attend institutes of technology; if she will provide more resources for this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27666/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the research carried out for the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability. There is a range of support services for students with a disability in the institute of technology sector. These include dedicated access or disability personnel; learning support services, including needs assessment and support for students with learning difficulties; assistive technology services and the provision of additional support staff such as personal assistants, sign-language interpreters or note takers as required. These services are resourced through the annual allocation of funding for the institutes, and by a further €2.4 million allocated through the fund for students with disabilities.

Survey data submitted to the Department of Education and Science indicates that the participation rate for students with a disability in the institute of technology sector has grown from 1.5% to 2.7% over the last seven years and is now well ahead of the 1.8% target set for 2006 by the action group on access. I am aware from discussions with the directors of the institutes there is a sector-wide focus on specifically identifying, and addressing the needs of students with disabilities.