Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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469. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the situation regarding the 375 post-primary students (details supplied), categorised as autism spectrum disorder, at the end of the 2013-14 school year; if further education, or training places, were provided for these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8792/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that students with a special educational need, including those with an autism spectrum disorder, have a range of options available to them in the higher and further education sectors. Some students choose to participate in educational programmes through further adult educational programmes or in adult settings.

While the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years, my Department may allocate funding towards an educational component of such provision.

This is generally transacted through the co-operation hours scheme operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) where the local service provider makes application to the relevant ETB for tuition hours. Funding is also provided to the National Learning Network for this purpose.

Young adults with disabilities are eligible to access SOLAS funded services. SOLAS funds ETBs to contract with 17 Specialist Training Providers, in 49 locations country-wide, to deliver training courses to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist training provision. A range of specialist courses is available at two levels of training, Introductory Skills Training (IST) and Skill Specific Training (SST) and includes in-centre, employer based and blended learning approaches to accommodate learners' training needs. These training courses lead to awards at levels 3-5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Entry to specialist training is open to all persons with disabilities over 16 years of age.

Specialist training offers additional supports to learners which include individualised training and progression plans, literacy and numeracy support, longer training duration, adapted equipment, transport arrangements, enhanced programme content and enhanced trainer/learner ratio.

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme also provides a third level admissions scheme for school leavers who have a disability or specific learning difficulty. Students who are considered to be DARE eligible may secure a college place on a reduced points basis.