Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh has confirmed that the Government has sanctioned €759,000 for a new national Comprehensive Transition Plan for adolescents with autism and learning disabilities, to be rolled out by the National Learning Network in Donegal.
The network has its centre at Rossview Business Park, Port Road in Letterkenny.
Speaking to Donegal Daily tonight following the announcement, Deputy McHugh said “This €759,000 project to be rolled out by the National Learning Network from its centre in Letterkenny is part of the Government’s Disability Activation Project (DACT),
“It is aimed at ensuring that school leavers with autism or withan intellectual disability are enabled to avail of transitional supports for progression, education and development opportunities.
“This is about helping people with an intellectual disability or with autism to progress to the next stage of life.”
“The DACT project announced today by Minister Burton is a package of the types of initiatives that were envisaged by the delegation of Fine Gael TDs who met with Minister Burton on Budget night 6th December 2011 to discuss Disability funding.
“That night we made a very strong case that the Government should focus its strategy for young adults with disabilities, on labour activation measures. Minister Burton’s announcement today is a huge step in the right direction and I compliment her for putting this Disability Activation Project together.”