Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
219. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he will facilitate greater access to third level education for young asylum seekers as recommended in the McMahon report in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8566/17]
View answerA Pilot Support Scheme was introduced by my Department in 2015 for students who are in the Protection System or at the Leave to Remain (but not deportation order) stage. This was one of the recommendations contained in the report by the Working Group on the Protection Process which was chaired by former High Court judge Dr Bryan McMahon.
The scheme provides supports to qualifying students which are similar to those available in the statutory based Student Grant Scheme.
Following a review of the Pilot Support Scheme 2015, the decision was taken to continue the scheme for the 2016/17 academic year. A further review will be undertaken in 2017.
To qualify for this scheme prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to:
- Meet the definition of a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage (other than those at the deportation order stage);
- Obtained their Leaving Certificate;
- Have been accepted on an approved Post Leaving Certificate course or an approved undergraduate course;
- Have attended a minimum of five academic years in the Irish school system and have been part of an application for protection or leave to remain for a combined period of 5 years prior to the 31st of August of the first year of their course .
