Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if persons in direct provision are classified as international students for fees in the context of completing the leaving certificate and progressing to third-level education here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Access to PLC provision for eligible international protection applicants is subject to the payment of the full economic fee. This is broadly in line with arrangements in the higher education sector. Arrangements in relation to payment of the full economic fee for international protection applicants have not changed since 2001. PLC colleges are responsible for collecting the fee.

More broadly, the Government decision to opt in to the EU (recast) Receptions Conditions Directive (2013/22/EU) has given international protection applicants, who have been waiting 9 months or more for a first instance recommendation, access to all aspects of further education and training. While this modifies some of the earlier arrangements regarding access, it does not change the situation regarding the payment of the full economic fee for PLC programmes.