Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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2566. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the work being undertaken in his Department to increase access to third level education for disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20284/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Students with disabilities has been identified as a priority group who are under-represented in higher education and in need of additional focus under the National Access Plan (NAP).

The NAP sets out the ambition for an inclusive, diverse higher education sector. A target to increase new entrants with a disability from 12.4% in 2022 to 16% by 2028 was set in the NAP. The latest figures available to the Department show this figure has increased to 14.7% for the 2023/2024 academic year.

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 4 supports the implementation of the NAP, putting a particular focus on students with a disability, including those with an intellectual disability.

PATH 4 which is comprised of two phases, aims to support inclusive, universally designed higher education environments and course provision for students with intellectual disabilities.

Phase 1 funding of €5.8m was provided for a range of projects to improve Universal Design across the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) including the roll out of sensory maps of college campuses and autism friendly tours and to assist institutions in preparatory work for phase 2 of this programme.

Phase 2 funding of over €11m has been invested in a pathfinding programme to support the provision of higher education courses for students with an intellectual disability and to inform future policy considerations for students with intellectual disabilities. To date courses have commenced in 11 HEIs across the country with 161 students enrolled.

This year, my Department will commence work on a Disabilities Demonstration Project to look at 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 and services, and will explore work experience opportunities for students with disabilities in the tertiary education and training system.

My Department has also this year increased the Fund for Students with a Disability (FSD) in higher education, by over 18% to €9,540,900. 17,526 students availed of FSD supports in Higher education in 2024. The purpose of the FSD is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities on both full-time and part-time courses so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers.

My Department is also working together with the members of the National Apprenticeship Office’s (NAO) Access and Inclusion Subcommittee. The NAO is in partnership with the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) and consulting with employer groups - via the Access and Inclusion subcommittee - on the development of a guide for employers titled “Tips for Apprenticeship Employers on Disability Inclusion”. The guide is due to be published in 2025.