Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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2716. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the lack of provision of online versions of course material in some college courses that are supported under SUSI, for prospective students with medical conditions that prevent them from attending in person classes; if this is something that is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45738/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including in relation to programme design and mode of delivery. As autonomous bodies the internal disbursement of funding, including the funding and expansion of student services, is a matter for the individual institution. As such, neither myself nor my Department have a role in determining the mode of delivery of programmes.

Each HEI has an access / disability service in place to support students. Any student who feels that they may require supports from their institution should contact this service who will carry out a needs assessment and explore the supports available to them, which can include practical assistance with exams, access to technology and academic accommodations.

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH 4) funding stream under the National Access Plan supports my Department's goals of enabling all learners with disabilities avail of higher education. Since 2022 Phase 1 funding of €5.8million has been provided for a range of projects such as improving Universal Design for Learning (UDL) across the higher education institutions.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) also provides funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study.