Disability Issues
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-28
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Marian Harkin (IND), Sligo-Leitrim

I thank Senator Clonan. There are a number of asks there. He is obviously talking about the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary, but it seems that the Departments conferred on this Commencement matter and decided it fell within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science places a high priority on inclusion across further and higher education. This work is closely aligned with the programme for Government, the national human rights strategy for disabled people and the forthcoming further education and training, FET, strategy.
Let us deal with the two issues the Senator raised, the disability allowance and the invalidity pension. For those in receipt of disability allowance, what happens is, as the Senator said, an administrative change. When they start a FET course, their disability allowance is paused and they are paid a FET training allowance instead. This is usually €254 per week or the same amount as their disability allowance if that is higher. When the learner leaves or completes the course and the Department of Social Protection is informed, the disability allowance is then automatically reinstated, but it is important to say there is no loss of either the allowance or the services provided.
The Senator is really speaking about the payment arrangements. They are arranged between the Department of Social Protection and SOLAS nationally and have been place since 2001, 25 years ago. The Department of Social Protection has advised that the suspension of disability allowance payments while on full-time FET training is a fundamental element of the agreed national funding model and ensures consistency in payment structures across all education and training boards and training providers. I reiterate that there is no financial loss to anybody involved here.
Those in receipt of the invalidity pension must apply to the Department of Social Protection for an exemption before starting the course. When approval is given, the learner stays on invalidity pension throughout the training and continues to be paid as normal.
As I have said, there is no loss to anybody who is on this course. As well as that, there are a number of other key supports for students with disabilities. We have the fund for students with disabilities, which enables education and training boards to put vital supports in place in order that learners can participate on an equal footing with their peers. In 2024 alone, over 3,500 learners benefited from these supports and there was a further commitment in budget 2026, with an extra €2 million being secured. This new, dedicated funding also includes transport supports for learners with intellectual disabilities.
That helps to remove a barrier to participation. In addition, there is a real emphasis on capability across the system to help mainstream FET programmes and make sure they are accessible to people with disabilities. The whole idea of universal design and reasonable accommodations is very much to the fore.
SOLAS has advised that in 2025 almost €45 million was allocated to specialist training providers, and that includes Cluain, in Tipperary. It is part of that. Approximately €18 million of this funding goes to training allowances for learners. I will, as the Senator asked, speak to the Ministers in question. I am interested to hear the Senator's further response.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-28