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For Written Answer on : 05/07/2022
Question Number(s): 482 Question Reference(s): 35412/22
Department: Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science the requirements to be met by Ukrainian nationals in order to qualify to access third level and or further education courses in Ireland; if those in such circumstances are eligible to apply for SUSI grant support; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
In line with the European Council decision of 4 March, the Irish Government has decided to offer displaced Ukrainian citizens protection under the International Protection Act 2015. Section 60 of the Act, gives ‘qualified persons’ access to the labour market, healthcare, social welfare and education on the same basis as Irish citizens including fees and supports.
The European Commission has indicated to Member States to be flexible in the use the national Erasmus grant, which can be used to support those displaced persons wishing to continue their full-time education here, and officials of my Department are now working with the HEA, in its role as the National Agency for Erasmus for higher education, to put these supports in place.
On the issue of qualifying requirements to access third level courses – as autonomous bodies, the final decision on admissions rests with the higher education institutions themselves.