Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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414. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures and supports that have been put in place for third-level students with dyslexia and other conditions that secured them supports at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43284/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Access Plan (NAP) has set targets to increase participation in higher education by People with disabilities. Specific targets have been set to increase participation in higher education by students with physical or sensory disabilities. A Progress Review of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education and the Priorities to 2021was published in December 2018. The review has shown that there has been significant increases in participation rates since work began on implementing the NAP. The most considerable progress toward realising the targets of the NAP has been achieved amongst the disabilities target group. The target of 8% that was set for the lifetime of the Plan has been exceeded by the Progress Review stage with a new target of 12% set for 2021. Overall participation rate has increased to 10.5%, and targets have equally been surpassed in respect of the three categories of disability. There has been an 88% increase in participation by students with physical or mobility disabilities, while participation rates by deaf students or those hard of hearing has increased by 48%. Participation by students that are blind or that have a vision impairment has increased by 53%.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is the principal funding source for students with disabilities in further and higher education.

The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating student and contribute to the achievement of their full potential. Eligible students can receive assistance from the FSD from further education level 5 up to doctoral level 10, and it can be applied for during any year of study.

The FSD operates as a funding allocation to higher education institutions and PLC colleges. The actual level of support to be provided to individual students is decided by each HEI who carry out a needs assessment to determine the types of supports and accommodations needed.

Funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations for assistive technology, equipment and software, non-medical helpers, academic or learning support, deaf supports and transport.

€7,658,000 was allocated to the FSD for Higher Education in 2020 and the fund supports circa 12,500 students per annum.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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415. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the independently appointed consultants conducting the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education under the European Commission DG Reform Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43285/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education to our progress as a country. The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy, against the backdrop of rapid technological change will be critically dependant on the quality of our graduates.

In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme. Following a competitive tendering process the contract to undertake the review was awarded to a consortium led by AARC and which also includes Indecon and LE Europe.

My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consortia of consultants. The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options. This review commenced in early 2020 and work is expected to be complete towards the latter part of Q1 2021.

My Department will continue to work with stakeholders on this comprehensive analysis of funding options for higher education and the assessment of the appropriate balance in provision across the tertiary education system.

Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future planning and funding of higher and further education provision which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.