Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Section 45 provides that the Minister for Education and Science does not discriminate where he or she restricts the making of higher education grants to EU nationals or provides for the payment of grants at different rates as between nationals and others. There is no reason that the State, in a situation of finite resources, should subsidise by way of grants attendance at third level courses by non-EU nationals to the same extent as it subsidises Irish and other EU citizens. The Equal Status Act 2000 already provides for different treatments in terms of charging fees for third level education between EU nationals and others. As such, the same requirements should also apply to the provision of grants. No other member state has such a wide system of student support and it was considered that paying grants to all-comers could place intolerable strains on the student support system and might act as an incentive for non-EU nationals to come to the State.

A refugee is a person who has been granted refugee status here. Such a person is entitled to the same rights of education, health and housing services as Irish citizens, including third level grants. It is open to persons who are not EU nationals and who have been resident in the State for some time — I will explain the rules in this regard if the Senator desires — to apply for naturalisation and, if granted, who would meet the nationality criteria for grants. Under Irish citizenship law, there is no exclusion from Irish citizenship for persons who hold citizenship of another state. Thus, for example, those who apply for naturalisation are not required to renounce any other citizenship they may hold.

The effect of Senator Henry's amendment would be to prohibit the Minister for Education and Science from restricting grants to EU nationals or from paying grants at different rates as between EU nationals and others. As matters stand, the Government is not disposed to accept the amendment.