Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if funding was allocated for additional support staff for personal assistant services to Carlow Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34498/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Personal Assistants are utilised within third level colleges for certain classes of students with disabilities, mainly those with physical or mobility difficulties. The main source of funding for personal assistants is the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Colleges of further and higher education can apply to the Fund on behalf of students who require a personal assistant in order to participate equitably in their education.

The manner in which the personal assistants are employed is a matter for each institution. The terms and conditions of employment for employees who provide support for students with disabilities in third level is a matter for the individual colleges concerned.

Some €174,000 was made available to Carlow Institute of Technology under the Fund for Students with Disabilities in the 2008/09 academic year.