Chai Brady
A scheme helping asylum seekers access third level education has been criticised by charities, who say it needs to be less restrictive.
The Government has announced the continuation of the Pilot Student Support Scheme which was first introduced in 2015 and provides support similar to the current Student Grant Scheme.
However the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) have said those caught in Ireland’s direct provision system are faced with too many restrictions.
Since its commencement only five people have been granted support out of 59 applications according to the IRC. They are calling for the Government to reduce the residency requirement for prospective students from five years to three, and reduce the need to have been in the school system from five years to two.
A residency requirement of three years is needed for those applying for Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
“This year alone I had seven young people apply to our Education Fund who have just sat their Leaving Cert and others who sat their Leaving in the last two years who are still trying to progress their education,” said Charlotte Byrne, Education Officer.
“Due to current delays in the processing of asylum applications, most of the people I work with will spend in excess of two years in the asylum process, so the need for support is not going away.”
“Talent and hard work are qualities we should foster in young people, regardless of their circumstances.”