Written answers

Thursday, 7 May 2009

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

5:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the additional financial help available to a person with a visual impairment when they commence third level education. [18294/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Fund for Students with Disabilities was introduced in 1994. It provides funding to students with disabilities, including visual impairment, who are attending courses in Irish and UK third level institutions and, since 1998, in post-leaving certificate centres. The fund is administered on behalf of the Department by the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education. The purpose of the fund is to provide students with serious physical and/or sensory disabilities with grant assistance towards the cost of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters.

To be considered eligible for the fund, an applicant must meet the prescribed criteria. Applications for assistance are made by the individual students through the disability or access officer of their third level institution, or by the principal of the student's post-leaving certificate college. Students, on registration for their courses, should discuss their particular disabilities and the equipment or services required with the disability or access officer or the principal, as appropriate.

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