Liz McManus
Question:432 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the entitlement Irish students have studying abroad in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/01]
Vol. 542 No. 5
432 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the entitlement Irish students have studying abroad in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/01]
458 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the entitlement Irish students studying abroad have in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25007/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 458 together.
The Deputy's question relates to a recent ruling of the European Court of Justice which held that the provisions of the relevant Community directive, concerning non-discrimination and European citizenship, preclude entitlement to non-contributory social benefits from being made conditional on a criterion which need not be satisfied by nationals of the host member state in question. The ruling, which relates to the case of a French national studying in Belgium and his entitlement under the social welfare system of that country, appears to have implications for the social welfare systems in all EU member states. It is not possible, however, at this point to state what the implications are with regard to each individual state. The Court did point out that member states may require students wishing to benefit from the right of residence on their territory to declare that they have, in accordance with a community directive, sufficient resources for themselves and, in relevant cases, for their family, in order to avoid becoming a burden on the social assistance scheme of the host member state. The Court accepted, however, that a student's financial position may change with the passage of time for reasons beyond his/her control.