Asylum Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Questions (493)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

493. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the five-year residency rule required for young asylum seekers to be entitled to access third level education in the same way as Irish citizens and European Union Irish residents; why she imposed a five-year as opposed to a three-year residency rule, as it is the normal residency requirement for Irish and European Union citizens. [41554/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The five year residency rule is in line with recommendation 5.70 of the Working Group on the Protection Process. This recommended that supports be made available to persons who have been in the "Irish school system for five years or more, and satisfy the relevant academic and other eligibility criteria."