Skip to main content
Publications

Minding the Gap: Equality for Children of Non-EU Migrants Accessing Third Level in Ireland

By 11 June 2013February 11th, 2020No Comments

Over the past decade of inwards migration to Ireland, significant gaps in our immigration policies and procedures have made it difficult for children of non-EU migrants to secure citizenship. This continues to have a direct and often negative impact on the ability of these young people to progress to third-level education. There is currently no provision for residency to inform criteria for accessing financial assistance at third level in Ireland. Citizenship remains core to criteria meaning hundreds of long-term resident non-EU migrants are unfairly disadvantaged in attempting to progress to third level. These young people are living here for a minimum of 3 years – many in fact have completed their primary and secondary level education in this country – have made Ireland their home and have put down roots. Finding a solution to this problem will enable this generation of young people to participate in and contribute to Irish society and Irish economic recovery.