I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, to the Seanad.

The Minister of State is very welcome. I am delighted, as this is relevant to both of us in our area.

I will give some background to Project WAVE, which stands for Working towards Academic and Vocational Equity. It is a project which everyone associated with Atlantic Technological University, ATU, is very proud of. It gives students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to attend college.

The students attending Project WAVE recently visited me here in Leinster House and met several Senators and TDs. These students defy all expectations that many people hold regarding people with what would be better described as intellectual differences, rather than intellectual disabilities. The students may have Down's syndrome, autism or other forms of neurodivergence.

In the course they study, core topics include ICT, personal development, learning skills and employability, as well as other elective modules, depending on the campus they are based in. For example, in Donegal, the focus is on hospitality. In Mayo, it could be business and early childhood education and care. In Sligo, we have students studying early childhood care, engineering and creative and visual arts programmes. The range of interests, personalities and talents among the Project WAVE students is as varied and diverse as that of the general student population.

Project WAVE is a two-year project, rapidly approaching the end of its second year. After completing WAVE, many of the participants hope to go onto further study or enter the world of work. All the research for this Commencement matter was carried out by Kevin, who is a Project WAVE student currently doing work experience in my office. Since starting Project WAVE, he has developed into an advocate for the rights of students with disabilities.

Kevin has agreed to my sharing his learning story here today:

I was 20-years-old and a student at another college when I first heard about Project WAVE in June 2024. My mum told me that she thought it would be a great opportunity and would give me a better life. I thought about it and I decided I would go for it. Before I was accepted, I had to do an interview. I told them how I wanted to come to ATU and learn new stuff and I would be meeting new people. The first day I arrived in September 2024, there were nine other students starting. None of us knew each other and I was so nervous. I was thinking of dropping out but decided to stick at it because I knew that someone else would take the chance and lots of other people who interviewed did not have the opportunity, and Project WAVE has changed my life. I am very happy now. Two years ago, I was in a bad place with sensory issues and the staff at the college I was attending did not really understand, but the staff at Project WAVE understand my sensory issues and are very nice to me and I could not hope for better. My goals are to do an access course at ATU or do a PLC course in Ballinode College, and to qualify to get a job in Yeats Library or the ATU or another university, maybe in St. Angela's. I have learned a lot of practical skills relating to the appropriate use of technology, flexibility and time use skills.

The reason I tabled this matter is Project WAVE is funded under a three-year pilot programme, designed at enhancing course provision for students with intellectual disabilities. Just as it is in Kevin's story, the enthusiasm shown among the staff, students and families demonstrates Project WAVE is money more than well-spent. It was so wonderful to welcome them here; we had such a wonderful day.

Education experiences are not transitory or temporary. They pay dividends for years, especially in the lives of people who are denied the kinds of opportunities open to most of us. Can the Minister of State confirm whether funding will be made available for the next three-year period and on an ongoing basis, so that students like Kevin, who should have the opportunities open to every other young person, have them?

I thank the Senator for raising what is truly a very important matter to an awful lot of people. I am delighted to be able to respond positively to her this morning.

First, I will give a small bit of context. As the Senator will know, the provision of courses for students with intellectual disabilities was a key commitment made in the national access plan published back in 2022. Progress on the delivery of the courses has been most encouraging, with 193 students studying in 11 higher education institutions, HEIs, across Ireland on these programmes. This far exceeds the original number of 160. The courses have become a feature of our higher education system, which is precisely what we want to see. My Department has invested over €11 million to provide the courses, and I am deeply committed to ensuring their continuation.

To date, participating HEIs reported they have experienced a high demand for the programmes, and the retention and attendance rates are high, sometimes the highest reported across the entire HEI spectrum. Early reports from the institutions have confirmed the programmes, as the Senator said, are having a hugely transformative effect on people’s lives, on the students and, crucially, the wider communities they are participating in.

The Senator specifically referred in her question to Atlantic Technological University. In context, ATU has received over €500,000 under PATH 4 phase 1 2022-2026, and a total budget approved for PATH 4 phase 2 for ATU is €938,000, nearly €1 million. As she knows, the courses are at national framework of qualifications, NFQ. level 6, and a key feature of the programmes is there are no course fees attached. Alongside delivery of the courses, the funding has been used to provide supports to students. Whether that is financial supports for students who may be financially disadvantaged, or assistive technology, personal assistance or transport, there is funding there to help with that.

As the Senator said quite rightly, both students and the colleges they attend are very happy with their achievements.

I am pleased to be in a position to provide her with an update on the continuation of the courses. Just last week the Minister, Deputy Lawless, who is the Minister in charge and who I am speaking for, brought a memorandum to the Government to ensure the continuation of these courses for the next two-year cycle. This decision provides certainty to the students, families and providers and will allow for the courses to be advertised for next September. As the Senator said, this is good news. She spoke about a young man, Kevin, who is working in her office. It is certainly good news for him but also for all the staff and students at ATU and the 11 HEIs across the country which are, as the Senator said, anxious to find out if the funding will be extended post 2026. The simple, straightforward answer to that is "Yes".

That is wonderful news. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I am delighted to hear it. People will be absolutely thrilled. It is not only for the students. Kevin said that it was an emergency and that there were only eight weeks left. It will alleviate so many of their concerns and worries. It is fantastic news. I give a big shout-out to all the staff like Tamsin, Jeanette and Róisín for all the work they do and the impact it is having not only on the students but, as the Minister of State said, on the wider community within the colleges and the places where they are doing their work placements as well. I am delighted and again thank the Minister of State for confirming it.

I thank the Senator. There is not a lot more to say except that it is good news all around. The HEA is in the process of engaging an expert consultant to work with the participating institutions on a common evaluation instrument. That is an important part of any aspect of funding. The outcomes of that evaluation will inform the next steps regarding the expansion of the programme in line with the programme for Government commitments. As I said, the answer to the Senator's question is "Yes". It is good news for Kevin and good news for all the people who make such an effort to make a difference to the lives of those students and also to the wider community. I certainly include myself in that. I will not speak for Senators but we all need to have a better understanding of the contributions every single one of us as individuals can make to society. Courses like this give opportunities to people that were not there previously.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. While we wait for the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, I welcome to the Public Gallery visitors from John Scottus National School who are guests of Deputy Hayes. There are also two guests of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I apologise as I do not have their names. Also here are Caitríona Boyd and her grandfather Tony Dunne. You are all very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Oireachtas. Those who are here from the national school will have no homework for the rest of day as is customary here in the Seanad. Enjoy your day.