Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability to access third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36752/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A key ambition is to ensure that supports and opportunities are provided for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs and assisting them in accessing and progressing through tertiary education.

The new National Access Plan, a Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success 2022-2028, (NAP), which is almost complete, will continue to support increased participation in Higher Education for students with disabilities.

The new plan seeks to continue to target under-represented students as well as vulnerable students or students who have experienced disadvantage and therefore face challenges in accessing higher education and experiencing belonging in higher education.

€5m was secured under Budget 2022 to support new pilot initiatives and enhance existing initiatives under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund to address priority actions under the NAP, including new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability access third level education.

A decision has been taken to ring-fence €3m of this fund for a four year pilot period to support the implementation of PATH Strand 4: Universal Design and Engagement of Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Higher Education. (The allocation of the remaining €2m to measures which will support the implementation of the new plan is currently under consideration).

This important development will support all students with disabilities including autistic students and will help to build on the existing but limited provision already available in Higher Education Institutions for students with intellectual disabilities.

PATH 4 will be implemented on a phased basis as follows:

Phase 1 (2022) will comprise a once off fund totalling €3 million for Universal Design, to be allocated to higher education institutions in 2022.

This will advance universal design and inclusive practices in higher education. It will support student success for all students and learners in higher education and will be of particular benefit to students with special educational needs, including students with autism. Phase 1 will allow the sector to prepare and build/enhance capacity for engagement in Phase 2 of Path 4. It will enhance commitment to universal design and inclusive practice across the sector, which will also benefit the broader category of students with Special Educational Needs including students with autism.

Phase 2 will involve a three-year pathfinding pilot to support an enhancement of course provision for students with intellectual disabilities and to inform future policy considerations for students with intellectual disabilities.

The procurement of expertise to support the Department and HEA is planned to support the management of a structured engagement process (including engagement with learners themselves) to design an appropriate call for proposals for students with an intellectual disability in ways that facilitate appropriate evaluation.