James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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1385. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to the programme for Government commitment, if he will provide details as to how his Department will examine the provision of the personal assistants initiative for persons with a disability in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3477/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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This year my Department has secured funding of €2.85 million to start a pilot project to identify the most impactful interventions and supports for students with disabilities. This will inform the process of developing a policy framework on the design and implementation of more flexible, responsive and tailored model of supports, services and work experience opportunities for students with disabilities in the tertiary education and training system.

In addition, this year, my Department has increased the Fund for Students with a Disability by over 18% to €9,540,900.

The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist further and higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland.

Funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations for non-medical helpers (e.g. personal assistants, notetakers) and also in any of the following broad categories:

• assistive technology equipment and software (including student training)
• academic/learning support
• deaf supports (e.g. sign language interpreters, SpeedText)
• transport support