Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on allowing asylum seekers to enrol for PLC courses where there a places available and where they are appropriately qualified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30996/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Non Irish nationals in the following categories are entitled to free access to PLC courses: EU nationals; persons who have refugee status in Ireland; persons in the State as the spouse of an EU national, where the EU national has moved from one country to another within the EU to work; persons (including their spouse and children) who have been granted leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds; persons who have permission to remain in the State as the parents of a child born in Ireland; and applicants for asylum who have been granted permission to work under the terms of a government decision of 26 July 1999.

The above categories must be treated on the same basis as Irish nationals. Asylum seekers who do not have an entitlement to work are entitled to free access to adult literacy, English language and mother culture supports only. I have no plans to change the eligibility requirements at this time.