Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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446. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a report (details supplied) concerning students with disabilities on placement. [3124/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for her question on this matter.

It is worth noting that as the report is about reasonable accommodations for professional placements, some of its findings and recommendations relate to the work of professional bodies e.g. Teaching Council, Nursing and Midwifery Board, CORU, etc which don’t come under the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science or the Higher Education Authority.

A fully inclusive Further Education and Training (FET) system that meets all learners' education and training needs is a key priority for my Department. The FET sector is committed to increasing inclusion levels for all. It does this by providing high-quality, more accessible and flexible education and training, including work placements, that incorporate relevant supports suited to the identified needs of individuals. The enhancement of high-quality support for learners is one of the key priorities for the sector.

To this end, both my Department and SOLAS, welcome this report. This report will inform and enhance the FET systems planning and funding arrangements over 2023 – 2024.

The National Access Plan (NAP) which was published in August 2022 aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body and recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs. The ambition of the NAP reflects the need to move beyond looking solely at access to higher education. It places the student at the centre of everything delivering positive and inclusive outcomes for all students at all stages of their higher education journey.

Students with disabilities are still under-represented in higher education, despite increases in numbers and the NAP sets a new participation target of 16% of new entrants by 2028. The Plan contains Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as student diversity across fields of study and graduate outcomes among selected priority groups. These targets and KPIs aim to increase participation by students with disabilities across all fields of study and improve their graduate outcomes.

The NAP places the student at the centre with everything directed at delivering positive and inclusive outcomes for all students at all stages of their higher education journey so the report with its focus on achieving positive outcomes for students with disabilities on professional placements is a welcome contribution to this.

The report speaks to the ambition of the NAP that we need to move beyond looking solely at access to higher education – it’s also important to consider inclusive higher education experiences for students as well as a culture of student success and positive outcomes. Student placements is a part of this. The report makes sure that the student voice and perspective are to the fore which is a critical element in understanding the challenges faced by students with disabilities.