09/04/2015

Education Minister Announces Reduced College Fees For Asylum Seekers

The Minister for Education is to reduce college fees for asylum seekers who have been in the system for over five years.

Galway West TD Derek Nolan has welcomed the commitment from Minister Jan O'Sullivan.

Deputy Nolan said: "There are teenage asylum seekers in this country who have been locked in the system for years and they have been frozen out of the third level education system.

"Our convoluted and complex immigration system has led to people being in direct provision centres for an unfair and inhumane amount of time. During this period, their lives are effectively on hold. They cannot work, they cannot afford to live and they cannot access third level education. Third level institutions treat them as international students which can mean charging them fees up to €15,000 a year.

"At the moment, young asylum seekers who come through our primary and secondary education system are faced with obstacles when trying to continue their education. Treating them like their Irish counterparts in terms of fees as well as financial student supports is simply the right and just thing to do."

(CD/MH)

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