Ministers Lawless and Harkin launch €2million Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Further Education and Training
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 9 March 2026
- Last updated on: 9 March 2026
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills Marian Harkin TD have today launched the new €2million Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities.
Secured by the Department as part of Budget 2026, the fund will extend transport supports for learners with intellectual disabilities across all further education and training courses, ensuring these learners can access a broader range of courses. The initiative forms part of the Fund for Students with Disabilities in further education and training, and represents a 35% increase in its overall allocation, rising from €5.7 million to €7.7 million.
Minister Lawless said:
“I am strongly committed to strengthening educational pathways for everyone, regardless of their geographical location, socio-economic background, ethnicity, disability, or any other personal circumstances.
“Students with intellectual disabilities continue to encounter obstacles in their educational journey. We are working to change that and create a more inclusive tertiary education system.
“I am delighted to launch the new Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities. I look forward to seeing in practice how it addresses such obstacles and makes a difference to people’s lives and educational journeys.”
Minister Harkin said:
“Inclusion is central to the further education sector. It is vital that we continue to empower the sector in its work to advance equitable access. The new Transport Fund will deliver meaningful, practical support to help learners with intellectual disabilities access and succeed in further education.”
Funding for this new initiative will be allocated by SOLAS and administered through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
Nessa White, interim CEO of SOLAS said:
“At SOLAS, we are fully committed to promoting inclusion across the Further Education and Training (FET) system to ensure learning opportunities are accessible to everyone. The Transport Fund for Learners with Disabilities is an important step
towards achieving this goal. We believe that every learner deserves the chance to thrive, and we are proud to collaborate with the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to implement these supports, helping to build a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all.”
Notes
| ETB | Fund for Disabilities 2026 Allocation (€) |
|
| CMETB | €390,000 | €160,000 |
| City of Dublin ETB | €1,100,000 | €240,000 |
| CETB | €800,000 | €240,000 |
| DETB | €70,000 | €80,000 |
| DDLETB | €450,000 | €160,000 |
| GRETB | €120,000 | €80,000 |
| KETB | €150,000 | €80,000 |
| KCETB | €180,000 | €80,000 |
| KWETB | €100,000 | €80,000 |
| LOETB | €70,000 | €80,000 |
| LCETB | €350,000 | €160,000 |
| LWETB | €70,000 | €80,000 |
| LMETB | €950,000 | €240,000 |
| MSLETB | €110,000 | €80,000 |
| TETB | €120,000 | €80,000 |
| WWETB | €120,000 | €80,000 |
The Fund for Students with a Disability (FSD) is a key national support that enables students with disabilities to take part in approved further and higher education courses. In further education and training, it provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) so they can offer the supports and services learners need to participate on an equal basis with their peers. The FSD currently supports mainly Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) learners and can fund assistive technology, non-medical helpers, academic and exam supports, supports for deaf or hard-of-hearing students, transport supports, and work-placement assistance.
The new element of the FSD, the Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities, extends support beyond PLC courses to a wider group of learners across further education and training.
SOLAS has now provided guidelines for the new fund and distributed funding to all 16 ETBs, with learners set to benefit in the coming weeks.