Tom Neville
Ceist:170. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether funding is available for persons in direct provision who wish to take part in courses in Killarney, County Kerry. [5408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 February 2018
Ceisteanna (170)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 2017, I announced my decision to continue the scheme for the 2017/18 academic year and to undertake a further review in 2018.
To qualify for the pilot 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 31 August of the first year of their course.
Also, the 1916 Bursaries Fund is available for socio economically disadvantaged students from under-represented groups in higher education, including ethnic minorities. Information is available from the Access offices in the Higher Education Institutes.