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2.15 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding disabled facilities and access for students at Highland's College:
Will the Minister update the Assembly on the current state of disabled facilities and access for students at Highlands College, including any future upgrades and refurbishment?
The Deputy of St. Ouen (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture):
Highlands College works closely with my department and others to ensure that all students' needs are identified, assessed and met. As a result, disabled facilities have been upgraded over the years, including significant improvements made as part of the recent refurbishment of the Turner Building completed in 2009. There are presently no new buildings planned for Highlands; however, the college will continue with its approach of working to meet individual needs and in this way continue improving accessibility year on year.
Deputy M. Tadier :
Firstly, will the Minister comment on the availability of minibuses for those disabled and impaired young people who are accessing the Life Skills programme? Will he comment on first of all whether such a minibus exists that can transport them and, if not, if such a facility can be introduced to facilitate their transport?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
Every effort is made to support individuals with disability, including ensuring that appropriate transport is available where the need arises. We do aim to make use of facilities that are available at other provisions that the department is responsible for, although at this time there is no minibus that is designed to meet disabled needs based at Highlands.
Deputy M. Tadier :
I thank the Minister for the answer. Lastly, will he take on board the concerns that I have raised with him directly over the last few days and try and examine first of all the issue of the mini bus, if that can be introduced viably; and also take on board the other concerns that I have raised about perhaps areas in which Highlands College is not necessarily fully up to speed with disabled access in all areas?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
Like the Deputy , I am very keen to make sure that those that suffer with disability are not disadvantaged in any way and I will do all that I can to make sure that they are provided for in whatever facility I am responsible for.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Very well, we now come to question 17, which you will see from the Order Paper has been redirected from the Minister for Economic Development to the Minister for Treasury and Resources and will be asked by Deputy Higgins.