Kildare Senator Welcomes €9Million Funding For Third Level Students With intellectual Disabilities

Thursday, 29 June 2023 14:30

By Oisin Coyne

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin says "ensuring education is accessible for all is a priority."

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has welcomed funding of €9 million to help improve access to third-level education for students with an intellectual disability.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris today, Thursday, 29 June 2023, called on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop three-year proposals on how they can improve access and enhance course provision for students with intellectual disabilities.

The funding falls under phase 2 of PATH 4 of the National Access Plan which highlighted the need to improve and increase representation in higher education for students with a disability including students with autism and students with intellectual disabilities.

Phase 1 of PATH 4 saw €3 million allocated to support the embedding of universal design approaches and inclusive practices in HEIs to benefit all students including those with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Senator O'Loughlin said: “This is significant funding to improve access to third-level education for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Ensuring education is accessible for all is a priority for Fianna Fáil in Government and this funding will be life changing for many students as courses will be developed specifically to help them. It will ensure greater inclusion and successful outcomes for students.”

She added: “I would encourage all Higher Education Institutions to submit their proposals on how they can improve access and offer specific courses for students with intellectual disabilities.”