Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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696. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the student survey from an organisation (details supplied) on the second level educational plans of persons in direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20508/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The organisation referred to by the Deputy has stated that it is arranging a survey as it aims to collect information about the current level of education and future educational aspirations of people in Direct Provision and in the asylum process. The survey has a particular focus on access to further and higher education.

In late December 2019, the former Minister for Justice and Equality appointed an Expert Group on the Provision of Support, including Accommodation, to Persons in the International Protection Process (Asylum Seekers), which is chaired by Dr. Catherine Day.

The Programme for Government commits, inter alia, to “Publish a White Paper by the end of 2020, informed by the recommendations of the Expert Group” and “in the short term, act on interim recommendations from the Chair of the Expert Group to improve conditions for asylum seekers currently living in the system.”

Officials from my Department are engaging with this expert group.