| Factsheets - Education | | | | Primary Education |  | The Department of Education and Science is responsible for primary school services.
Children in primary schools who have been assessed as having special educational needs are entitled to a response to their needs. The assessment is carried out by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or, in some cases, by approved private assessors
Some main stream schools have made provisions for children with a disability e.g. ramps & accessible toilets. The policy is to have integrated education as far as possible. |
| | | | Secondary Education | | The Department of Education and Science gives a grant to schools to allow them to purchase equipment for use by students with a disability in second-level schools.
The scheme applies to a student with a physical disability or a student who has a communications disability that makes ordinary communication through speech and writing impossible. The purpose of the scheme is to provide the student with equipment that will be of direct educational benefit to him/her. An example of such equipment would be a computer, tape recorder, word processor, drafting machine, induction loop, braille equipment and software. The school may apply to the national council for special education´s local special education needs organiser for these funds. The equipment is kept in the school. However, the Board of Management may give permission for a student to use the equipment at home. The equipment remains the property of the school and will usually be passed on to another student or to another school, when the school no longer needs it. |
| | | | Third Level Education | | Students with a disability may apply for admission to a third level institution
through the normal process - you apply to the Central Admissions Office(CAO).
Some institutions reserve a number of places for people with disabilities and you must apply directly to the individual institution for such a place.
The direct admission system varies from one institution to another and you need to find out what the closing date for such applications is and what the criteria for a place are.
You may apply through both systems for the same academic year and if you get an offer in each system, you may choose whichever suits you best. |
| | | | Specific provision for students with disabilities | | Most third level institutions have disability liaison officers. The disability liaison officer may provide a number of services including assistance with applying for a reserved place, finding suitable accommodation and arranging any special access requirements and provisions for sitting examinations. Some institutions reserve a number of student
accommodation places for students with disabilities.
A special fund to help third level students with a physical disability is administered by the Department of Education. Apply to the third level institutions before September. Contact the student counsellor or disabilities support office at the college. Not all schools and colleges are accessible so it is important to decide what course you wish to do and find
a college that suits your needs.
AHEAD is an independent voluntary organisation working to promote improved access for persons with disabilities to Third Level Education in Ireland. www.aheadweb.org. Tel (01) 475 2386
Department of Education and Science for further information on all aspects of education for people with disabilities is available from Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel: (090) 648 3600 Website: www.education.ie or check out www.disABILITY.ie go to Education - Third Level Education
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| | Training | | FÁS, CERT & TEAGASC are the main state agencies, which provide training for the unemployed and they also train people with a disability. |
| | Further information:
FÁS, 27/33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4. Tel (01) 684181
Website: FÁS Disability Portal. |
| | | | NTDI | | | | The National Training & Development Institute (NTDI) - www.ntdi.ie
Is Irelands largest non-government training organisation with over 40 centres throughout Ireland. No formal entry requirements needed for any NTDI courses and no fees. Additionally students receive training allowance and retain statutory benefits e.g. free travel. There is a wide range of courses available including distant learning. Courses can be tailored to suit the individual and there is also an equipment placing service. |
| | | | For further information, contact: |
| | | | Name | Address / Phone | Serving | | NTDI Head Office | Roslyn Park, Beech Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4
Tel: (01) 2057200 | Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny,
Wexford, Wicklow | | NTDI | Patrick St., Tullamore, Co Offaly
Tel: (0506) 41044 | Cavan, Laois, Longford
Meath, Monaghan, Offaly,
Westmeath | | NTDI | Dosco Industrial Estate, Cork
Tel: (021) 361283 | Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick
Tipperary, Waterford | | NTDI | Parkmore Industrial Estate, Galway
Tel: (091) 753096 | Donegal, Galway, Leitrim
Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo |
| | | | Grants | | Students with disabilities are eligible for third level grants on the same basis as other students (see below). There are some grants specifically for people with disabilities.
A special fund to help third level students with disabilities is administered by the Department of Education and Science. You should apply directly to the third level institution at the beginning of the academic year (September/October). The National University of Ireland may award a special grant to a student with a disability attending their college.
Application forms are available from The Registrar, National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 439 2424 www.nui.ie
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| | Higher Education Grants Scheme: | | Provides means tested maintenance grants for students attending a fulltime undergraduate course of at least two years at publicly funded third level institutions in Ireland and other EU member states. It also covers postgraduate courses in approved institutions in Ireland. Apply to your local authority.
Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT scheme):
For students attending two year national certificate and three year national diploma courses in Institutes of Technology.
VEC Scholarship scheme: Provides maintenance grants for students progressing from a diploma course to a degree course.
PLC Scheme: For students attending post leaving certificate courses of at least one year duration. Apply to your local vocational educational committee (VEC) for these schemes.
Trinity College assistive technology service www.tcd.ie/disability/services.
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| | Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) | | | | This scheme is aimed at giving people education and training opportunities, which will develop their employability.
If you are over 21, unemployed and on disability allowance, the dept of education has a scheme called the VTO scheme, courses are provided free of charge. Courses last up to 2 years and include a wide range of subjects, to obtain a list of V.E.C. colleges around Ireland contact:
The Adult Education Department of your local Vocational Education Committee (VEC). CDU, Sundrive Rd, Dublin 12. Tel (01) 4535487.
If you wish to pursue a full-time or third level course, you man qualify for a back to education allowance (BTEA). This outlines a number of ways in which you can return a full-time or part time education while continuing to receive income support.
The allowance is payable for the duration of the course including all holiday periods. It is not means tested so you can work with out it effecting your payment. Any maintenance grant you may receive will not effect your payment; you will also keep any secondary benefits you already have.
Alternatively, you may continue to receive your current social welfare payment if you wish to participate in other education, training or development courses.
For more information
Local Social Welfare Office or The Dept. Information Services Tel: (01) 8748444.
Information on Social Welfare Services is available on RTE'S Teletex Aertel, Internet www.dscfa.ie
Recommended Book Accessing Third Level Education (A hand book for Students with Disabilities and learning difficulties) Contact: Ahead (01) 4752386
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| | | | "Back to Education" Allowance | | | | Employment Support Services,
The Dept. of Social, Community and Family Affairs - www.welfare.ie. |
| | | | If you wish to pursue a full-time or third level course, you may qualify for a back to education allowance (BTEA).
There are a number of ways in which unemployed people, lone parents and people getting certain disability payments can return to full-time education (second and third level) and receive the Back to Education Allowance paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. You may also retain secondary benefits such as Rent/Mortgage Supplement.
The allowance is payable for the duration of the course including all holiday periods. It is not means tested so you can work without it effecting your payment. Any maintenance grant you may receive will not affect your payment, you will also keep any secondary benefits you already have. |
| | | | For more information:
Local Social Welfare Office or The Dept. Information Services Tel: (01) 8748444.
Employment Support Service (Headquarters), Back to Education Schemes, Gandon House,
Amiens Street, Dublin 1, (01) 7043759, (01) 7043912. |
| | | | Recommended Book | | | | Accessing Third Level Education
( A hand book for Students with Disabilities and learning difficulties)
Contact AHEAD (01) 4752386 |
| | | | | | Note: To send us your Education questions, please visit the Contact page. Thank you. |
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