Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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817. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to explain and address the pay discrepancy between personal assistants working in further education and funded by either the HEA or Solas (details supplied). [29163/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There are differing arrangements in place with regard to personal assistants within higher education institutions (HEI's). These arrangements reflect the differing needs profiles of students within HEIs, with some directly employing personal assistants and others utilising third party providers. As autonomous institutions, HEIs are afforded the flexibility to identify the most appropriate arrangements to best support the identified needs of students. A standard rate of pay for personal assistants is not applicable to the diversity of arrangements in the higher education sector.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) for HEI's is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf my Department. A single allocation of FSD funding is provided to HEIs each year, and the use of this allocation within HEIs is informed by needs assessments conducted in collaboration with individual students, and in accordance with the guidelines of the funding. These supports and services include assistive technology equipment and software, academic/learning support, and personal assistants.