Third-level education scheme for asylum seekers stalls

Third-level education scheme for asylum seekers stalls

A Department of Education-run scheme to facilitate access to third level education for some student asylum seekers appears to have stalled.

Two rounds of CAO offers have already been made, but the department has yet to announce the programme for the upcoming academic year.

Children in the protection process are entitled to free primary and post primary education, however, they are not automatically entitled to free third level education.

In 2015 – in line with the recommendations of a government commissioned report – the Department of Education introduced a pilot scheme offering third level student supports to students in the protection process in Ireland for five years or more.

It was also offered to students who were in the Irish school system for five years or more.

In the first year of the pilot scheme, 39 people applied and two were deemed eligible.

The following year, 15 applications were put forward and again two were successful.

Last year, five people applied and only one was deemed eligible.

The Department of Education has said the scheme was recently reviewed with a decision expected shortly.

The scheme has been criticised by the Irish Refugee Council, saying that it was too restrictive. It said the length of stay and time in school requirements should be reduced.

This call has been echoed by former Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, who first introduced the programme.

Speaking to RTÉ News, she said it was always the intention that the pilot scheme would be learned from and improved upon.

, https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2018/0902/991090-department-education-asylum-seekers/

http://asylumireland.ml/third-level-education-scheme-for-asylum-seekers-stalls/