Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
710. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is taking measures to ensure that those who had started third-level education in Ukraine can complete their qualifications here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra711. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will provide mechanisms for those coming from Ukraine who were due to complete second level this academic year to access third level education in the next academic year here without having to sit examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14189/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together.
The people of Ukraine have had a horrendous war thrust upon them and the Government and the EU have been united and unequivocal in our condemnation of Russia's aggression. I am particularly proud of the generous spirit the Irish people have displayed to those displaced by the war, and this has been mirrored in the response by Government.
There has been an open response from Irish Universities in terms of facilitating the further studies of those arriving from Ukraine. The EU, the Irish Government and my Department are all acting in support of that goal, and we are working on developing our common understanding of the educational and training supports required by Ukrainians coming to the EU.
I am also aware of 50 Irish students who were studying medicine and dentistry in the Ukraine, and my Department is in contact these students with a view to establishing, in the first instance their safety, and also to seek certain baseline information regarding their studies.
A key element of this any process to facilitate access to further and higher education studies is to align the prospective students’ programme with the Irish education system, and then to see what measures to support their continued study can be deployed.
Officials in Department are working very closely with higher education representatives to achieve this goal.
