Additional funding available announced for third level students with a disability

Increased funding to help students with a disability access third level education has been announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education will be topped up in 2024 by 5%, bringing the total to €8 million for the first time.

The extra funding being announced will help students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels who require specific and tailored support such as personal assistants, transport and assistive technology.

Speaking about the initiative, Minister Harris said: “Since I took office, I have been working to make sure educational pathways should be available to all individuals no matter their socio-economic background, ethnicity, gender, geographical location, disability or other circumstances.

“Students with disabilities are still underrepresented in higher education at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and as a result are one of the key target groups in the new National Access Plan. Thankfully, we are seeing a welcome increase in the number of students with a disability entering higher education year on year but we have much more we want to do," he said.

“Funding of €2m was also secured in Budget 2024 to expand the scope of the FSD in further education where it currently applies to students on PLC courses and tertiary degree programmes."

The Fund for Students with a Disability is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland.

“We have made huge inroads in assisting students with disabilities access primary and secondary education. It is absolutely essential third level education can make the same strides over the coming years," he added.