Minister Marian Harkin welcomes €2m Transport Fund to support learners with intellectual disabilities

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, has welcomed the launch of a new €2 million Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities, aimed at improving access to further education and training for learners who face transport barriers.

The fund, launched alongside Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD, was secured as part of Budget 2026 and will extend transport supports to learners with intellectual disabilities across a broader range of further education and training courses.

The new initiative forms part of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) in further education and training and represents a 35% increase in the overall allocation of the fund, bringing total investment from €5.7 million to €7.7 million.

Welcoming the initiative, Minister Harkin said, “Inclusion must be at the heart of our further education and training system. This new Transport Fund represents a practical step to ensure that learners with intellectual disabilities can access courses and opportunities that may previously have been out of reach due to transport challenges.

“For many learners, particularly in rural and regional communities, transport can be one of the biggest barriers to participation. By providing dedicated funding to support travel costs, we are helping ensure that students can engage fully in education and training and build the skills they need for the future.”

Minister Harkin also highlighted the importance of the funding for the North West, “I am particularly pleased to see strong supports for learners in the North West. Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board will receive €80,000 under the new transport fund, while Donegal Education and Training Board will also receive €80,000 to support learners with intellectual disabilities.

“These supports will make a real difference on the ground, helping learners travel to training centres and courses that can open up new educational and employment opportunities. Ensuring that geography does not limit opportunity is a key priority for this Government.”

Funding for the initiative will be allocated by SOLAS and administered through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide. Guidelines have now been issued and funding has been distributed, with learners expected to benefit from the new supports in the coming weeks.

Minister Harkin added, “Further education and training has a vital role to play in creating inclusive pathways for learners of all abilities. This investment strengthens the supports already available and ensures that more learners with intellectual disabilities can participate on an equal basis with their peers.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.