Education and Training

Third Level Education

Students with a disability can apply to third-level institutions through the usual process – applying to the Central Admissions Office. Some institutions reserve places for people with disabilities and for these you must apply directly to the individual institution. If you get an offer in each system, you may choose whichever suits you best. Most third-level institutions have Disability Liaison Officers. These provide a number of services, including assistance with making an application for a reserved place, finding suitable accommodation and other access requirements.

Grants

Students with disabilities are eligible for third-level grants on the same basis as other students. There are some additional grants specifically for people with a disability from a special fund administered by the Department of Education and Science. You should apply directly to the third-level institution for these at the beginning of the academic year (September/October)

The National University of Ireland (NUI) may award a special grant of up to €500 to a student with a disability attending a course at an NUI college.

Apply to: Registrar, National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) is a voluntary organisation working to promote better access to third-level education for people with disabilities. It has published information booklets on this topic and is available for advice.

Contact: AHEAD, Newman House, 86 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

Back to Education Allowance

This allowance is paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. It assists adults receiving certain disability payments wanting to return to second- or third-level education.

Apply to: the second- or third-level institution for advice on courses and the application procedure. Once you have been accepted on to the course, contact your social welfare office for form BTE 1. More information is available from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Vocation Training Opportunities Scheme

This scheme is for people aged 21 years and over who have been receiving certain social welfare payments for at least six months, to take up full-time education at certain Vocational Education Committee (VEC) centres around the country.

Apply to: your local VEC

Rehabilitative Training

This training is not directly linked to the labour market and is overseen by the HSE. Rehabilitative training focuses on developing a person’s core life skills, social skills and basic work skills.

Contact: HSE for more information

Disabled Person Rehabilitation Training Allowance

Trainees in foundation training and sheltered workshops retain their social welfare payments (€197.80), usually Disability Allowance, and also receive a training bonus of €31.80 a week.

Contact: Disability Services in your Local Health Office or any FÁS Employment Services Office for more information.

Vocational Training

Vocational training is designed to equip trainees with specific skills to enhance their prospect of securing employment. FÁS is responsible for this training for people with disabilities and also provides more specialist training courses to people with disabilities who may require more support.

Contact: The Disability Service section in your Local Health Office for more information. Further information is also available from FÁS employment services from any FÁS Employment Service Office.

Sheltered Workshops

Sheltered work gives people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in daily work in a sheltered setting where they receive personal support services. A draft code of practice for sheltered work is being prepared by the Department of Health and Children and a review is ongoing on the funding of sheltered work.

Contact: the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and voluntary organisations dealing with particular disabilities for more information.