Ms Karen McHugh:

On access to education, all children are eligible for first and second level education. However, they do not have the same access to third level education because they have no financial support to pay fees. I acknowledge that the Minister for Education and Skills recently spoke against this arrangement and indicated that she wanted to include asylum seeker children in a wider and more inclusive system of access to third level education. It is a source of great concern that many young people who reach the age of 18 years and are more than capable of progressing to university are excluded. We are in the fortunate position of being able to support certain individuals who have been able to obtain scholarships. We are in contact with one individual who earned 600 points in the leaving certificate examination. Such an individual should not be excluded, but it took some time to arrange a scholarship. The individual concerned is an asset to the country.

Education for asylum seekers is usually up to FETAC level 4, but the majority of provision is in the areas of computers and English. We provide English language classes and access to computers because that is what can be funded. We have provided English language classes since the day the organisation was established. However, people who have been in the system system for two, five or 14 years do not need English language classes or computer training. Access to education is very limited. Certain funders will support separated and aged-out minors at third level. We have been fortunate in arranging charitable support in this area.