Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been a fall of some 10% in the numbers of vision impaired or blind persons going on to higher education; and if so, the steps he is taking to establish the cause of this decrease and to rectify the situation in view of the 84% unemployment rate among those that are vision impaired or blind. [30311/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The number of students with disabilities in higher education is derived from the number of higher education students in receipt of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). The figure for 2016/17 of students that are blind or that have a visual impairment represents a 20% increase from the figure recorded in 2011/12.

The National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019 (NAP) was launched in December 2015, and aims to ensure that the student body entering, participating in and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. Students that are blind or visually impaired are specifically identified as a target group within the NAP. A target of 200 students that are blind or visually impaired participating in higher education has been set for 2019 in the NAP.

While a progress review of the NAP is currently underway which will assess progress towards targets, evidence from the data on the FSD already suggests that this target has been achieved. In 2016-17 there were over 174 students who are blind or visually impaired supported by the FSD and provisional data indicates that over 200 students have been supported by the Fund in the academic year 2017-18.

It is expected that the measures that have been implemented through the Plan, including the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) and work to advance the recommendations of the Review of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) have assisted in the realisation of this target.

There are other steps taken to improve participation in higher education by students that are blind or that have a visual impairment. The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second-level education. DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers with a disability under the age of 23. Students with sensory disabilities, including students that are blind or visually impaired, are prioritised for reduced point’s places.

Each higher education institution offers a range of post-entry supports to students with disabilities. Supports include a dedicated disability officer, assistive technology, examination accommodations and tailored induction programmes.