Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
744. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available to migrant or refugee youth that are less than three years in Ireland but are availing of third-level education with particular reference to whether there are any scholarships or social welfare funds that could be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16512/21]
View answerAccess to the majority of further education and training (FET) programmes is free of charge or heavily subsidised. Learners are encouraged to contact the Adult Guidance Service in their local Education and Training Board (ETB) in relation to additional supports that may be available to them while undertaking their FET programme.
In relation to international protection applicants who have been granted permission to work, they are eligible to access FET programmes on the same basis as Irish nationals. While, access for eligible international protection applicants to the majority of FET programmes is free of charge, up to now, international fees for Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programmes of €3,600 have applied to international protection applicants with permission to work, except for those who are eligible for the Student Support Scheme. However, in March 2021, it was announced that from the start of the next academic year (2021/22), international fees for international protection applicants with their permission to work seeking access to PLC would no longer apply. The waiving of the international fee for PLCs will move further towards a level playing field and improve opportunities for people.
International protection applicants who do not have their permission to work are entitled to free access to adult literacy and English language supports.
University of Sanctuary Ireland is an Irish initiative to encourage and celebrate the good practice of universities, colleges and other education institutes welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants into their university communities and fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all those seeking sanctuary. Higher Education Institutions as autonomous institutions have significant discretion on the provision of supports to migrants.
Eligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
