Great news for students in direct provision-Conway

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan that students in the asylum protection system will have access to student supports from September 2015.

“Asylum seekers cannot work in the direct provision system nor were they previously entitled to access State support such as the SUSI grant and the free fees scheme.   This means that despite excelling in education there was no way for students in the direct provision to pursue a third level education.

“I am delighted that this impasse will be speedily dealt with by the Department of Education so that from September students in the protection system who have spent five years in the Irish school system, can now access student supports.

“I have consistently highlighted the anomalies and inhumane treatment of asylum seekers in the direct provision system in particular the considerable length of time that families can spend in the system so I am particularly satisfied with this new proposal.

“This decision by the Minister will ensure that the children of asylum seekers who find themselves in the direct provision system for a considerable number of years can now complete their education and we can look forward to hearing about the considerable achievements of these students in the future.”