Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
220. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will offer alternative access points for young asylum seekers seeking to access upper level further education and training and local training initiative courses in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8567/17]
View answerIn August 2015 the decision was taken on a pilot basis to provide students in the asylum protection system with access to the student support scheme to ensure that they could continue their education.
Following a review of the scheme last year, I was pleased to announce the continuation of the scheme for 2016/17. Under the scheme, students in the asylum protection system who meet certain criteria, including completion of the Leaving certificate and at least five academic years in the Irish school system, who have been accepted on an approved Post Leaving Certificate course or on an approved undergraduate course, are eligible to supports under the current Student Grant scheme on the same basis as EU applicants. The 2016/17 pilot scheme will be reviewed later this year.
A range of programmes within further education and training provision which includes Local Training Initiatives (LTIs) are provided specifically for those who are unemployed and are permitted to seek employment here, for the purposes of labour market activation, and as such are not available to persons not permitted to seek employment here.
