Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students at third level colleges with an intellectual disability. [21648/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Data is not currently being collected on participation by students with an intellectual disability on courses in third level institutions. I have been advised by the National Access Office of the HEA, on the basis of advice from AHEAD (the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability) and third level disability personnel, that the numbers of students from this group are very small. Some students are participating on dedicated courses for students with an intellectual disability being provided by research centres of higher education institutions. For example, 20 students are participating on recently established Certificate in Contemporary Living course being provided by the National Institute for Intellectual Disability in TCD. Also there are 34 students participating on Certificate in Citizenship and Advocacy being provided by the Centre for Disability Studies in UCD which has seen 40 graduates since 2003. Other students with an intellectual disability are known to be participating in FETAC accredited courses in both higher and further education institutions, for example foundation certificate and apprenticeship programmes in the Institute of Technology sector.

The National Office is currently working with higher education institutions on the development of new mechanisms for improving data collection on all students with a disability in higher education, including better systems of monitoring participation by students with an intellectual disability in the higher education sector. A survey conducted by AHEAD in 2004 indicates that participation generally by students with a disability in higher education has improved significantly over the last decade. In 2004 students with a disability represented 2.4% (over 2,700 students) of undergraduates in higher education institutions, compared to a participation rate of only 0.6% (or 460 students) in 1994. A substantial proportion of this rise in participation is accounted for by increased participation or identification of students with specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) who form over 52% of students with a disability. Other categories are: 16% of students who have a mobility disability; 5% who are blind or visually impaired; 7% who are deaf or hard of hearing; 8% who have mental health difficulties; 12% who have other disabilities.