Vol. 547 No. 1
1169 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is open to refugees who are of schoolgoing age, to avail of the Youthreach option or post-leaving certificate courses; if not, if he will take steps to ensure that such educational opportunities are made available to such refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1523/02]
Refugees, including those of school-going age, may have access to educational services such as Youthreach and post-leaving certificate courses on the same basis as Irish and other EU nationals. However, it is departmental policy that refugees of school going age be integrated into mainstream schools to the fullest extent possible where assistance including additional teaching resources will be provided.
In the case of access to vocational training initiatives, such as the Youthreach programme for early school-leavers, persons who are refugees may enter the programme where it represents an appropriate response to individual needs. Youthreach is targeted at young people in the 15 to 20 age group who have left school early with minimal or no qualifications, for example, less than five D grades at junior cycle or equivalent.
