Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has plans to add more courses in the further education sector specifically designed for people with disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question.

In line with the Programme for Government commitment to provide a step change in the supports and services required by people with disabilities, making education accessible for everyone is the hallmark of this Government’s approach to the Further and Higher Education sector. My Department is working to make the system more responsive to the needs of learners and breaking down the barriers that previously stopped those with a disability from accessing tertiary education.

Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars of the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024. Learners with disabilities are one of the key ‘priority groups’ under this Strategy. I can assure the Deputy that inclusion will remain a priority in the new FET strategy for 2025 - 2029 that SOLAS is currently finalising.

There are a range of programmes and initiatives within FET that provide specific support to learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract providers to offer vocational training programmes, in specific settings, for persons with disabilities, who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist provision.

In addition, some of the ETBs collaborate with organisations such as Down Syndrome Ireland to develop programmes. City of Dublin ETB and Down Syndrome Ireland, for example, are currently rolling out the Work Ready programme in Finglas at level 2 of the National Framework for Qualifications in office work, retail/hospitality and hairdressing/barbering. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Down Syndrome Ireland and some of their learners who shared with me how these programmes have positively impacted their lives.

A key priority of SOLAS and the ETBs is to make all of FET accessible to people with disabilities and to ensure their success, with a range of initiatives being delivered in support of this. FET services are increasingly underpinned by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals an equal opportunity to learn. UDL approaches aim to reduce obstacles by introducing more flexible methods of teaching, assessment and service provision to cater to all learning styles.

My Department through SOLAS also funds agencies such as AHEAD and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland to deliver programmes for learners with disabilities and/or to support their participation in mainstream FET. Finally, Budget 2025 secured funding for a project that will develop a model of person-centred supports for learners with disabilities in tertiary education, which will inform Departmental policy.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the proposed “College of the Future” on the former Kickham Barracks site in Clonmel that will create a college which will host both further and higher education students, being the first co-located and fully integrated further education and training and higher education campus in Ireland. [14218/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what plans are in place to increase the number of degree courses for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14527/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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This government is prioritising workforce planning across health and disability services, including in Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy disciplines.

My officials and I are working closely with other Departments to address workforce needs by expanding training places in areas of acute skills shortages, ensuring a strong pipeline of qualified graduates for our health and social care workforce. I recently met with my cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, to discuss this issue. We are aligned in our commitment to expanding training places in therapy disciplines.

Last July, my Department and the Department of Health prepared a joint memo for Government, committing both Departments to prioritising funding for the expansion of key healthcare disciplines, including therapy professions. As a next step, my officials have requested that the HEA explore increasing places across existing therapy courses. If needed, this will be followed by an assessment of new course provisions.

Significant progress has already been made, with nearly 1,000 additional places created in health and social care programmes at Irish universities in recent years. In September 2024, expansions included:

• 40 additional Occupational Therapy places (20 at the University of Limerick and 20 at the University of Galway).
• 15 additional Speech and Language Therapy places at the University of Galway

• 28 Occupational Therapy places in 2023, with a further 27 in 2024.
• 10 Speech and Language Therapy places in 2023, with an additional 8 in 2024.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the amount a student can earn per week during term time and be exempt from the SUSI means testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13539/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills education the discussions that have been had with the Department of Transport to ensure that students of higher education facilities are able to commute to their place of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14576/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Transport is responsible for transport policy and overseeing transport services and infrastructure. My Department is engaging with that department to facilitate the alignment of student accommodation policy with climate action requirements. The development of local area demand management schemes in conjunction with the relevant local authorities aims to provide targeted public transport services, aligned to college/university timetables, with support for alternative travel methods to and from college through provision of cycle ways and bike to college schemes.

My officials also formed part of the Department of Transport’s ‘Generators of Demand- People’ expert subgroup given the tertiary sector’s role in generating transport journeys; thereby inputting directly into the draft National Demand Management Strategy (yet to be published).

In addition, under the Public Sector Climate Action Strategy 2023-2025 public bodies are tasked with encouraging the use of sustainable transport modes and acquiring the NTA’s Smarter Travel Mark to demonstrate robust communications, policies, facilities, incentives and supports in favour of sustainable commuting.

Officials continue to progress any opportunities that present to deepen engagement with the Department of Transport and progress commuting options for students of higher education facilities.