Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Minister gave the example of Eric, which was a well-known case of about two or two and a half years ago involving a potential deportation. It may not apply to Eric directly but there are people in a similar situation to Eric who will face being effectively barred from going to third level education for financial reasons unless the law is changed. The Minister seemed to indicate it needs legislative change. The clock is ticking on this.

My supplementary question is on the issue of young people who were not born here but have grown up here and are part of Irish society and Irish communities. There is an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 undocumented children living in the State. Is the Minister open to the idea that legislative change would include rights in this regard, not just for children born in the State, but for people who have lived here for a number of years?

I have a Bill which specifies three years. Something of that kind is required. Will the Minister comment on that?

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