Vol. 530 No. 6
412 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider extending the schemes for student support to persons who have acquired residency rights here, for example, by virtue of having an Irish born child. [4522/01]
Under the terms of the student support schemes, candidates must satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, and nationality.
In relation to nationality, the schemes provide that "candidates must hold EU nationality, have official refugee status or have been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State".
A number of categories of people have over the years sought recognition, although they are not at present covered by the scope of the definition of nationality in the schemes. The categories include those who have established residency rights here through, for example, being the non-EU spouse of an Irish citizen or being the non-EU parent of an Irish born citizen child.
I am at present examining the issues involved and they are included in the review of student supports being carried out by a special project team which I established late last year.
