AQW 49815/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 14/10/2015
Answered On Date: 29/10/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQW 49271/11-16, to detail (i) his Department’s rationale for not extending Special Educational Needs statements to 21 years of age; (ii) whether he plans to reassess this need; and (iii) existing alternative support for young people with special education needs, that require a longer period of time to achieve their educational goals.

Answer:

(i) I refer the member to my previous answer to AQW 49224/11-16 regarding the same issue; (ii) at present I have no plans to reassess the need for extending statementing to age 21; and (iii) my Department provides additional support for further education students through the Additional Support Fund and for higher education students through Disabled Students Allowance. Further information is available on nidirect at: Disability Support at College and Disabled Students Allowance.