Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the Department’s supports to assist Ukrainian people seeking access to third level education in the new academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36759/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 21 June, I secured agreement from Government for a range of measures to help displaced students and researchers. These measures include a new temporary tuition fee scheme, an extension of eligibility to Springboard, a new bursary fund for those who wish to take SOLAS approved PLC courses and an extension of the Student Assistance Fund.

The European Commission have also indicated to Member States to be flexible in the use the national Erasmus grant. Officials of my Department are now working with the HEA, in its role as the National Agency for Erasmus for higher education, to put these supports in place. Finally, existing supports for mental health and well-being provision in the HEIs will be extended to include displaced students.

A Working Group on English Language for Academic Purposes (EAP) was set up under the auspices of the National Steering Group and this body is finalising a proposal to ensure displaced students entering into the Irish higher education sector have the requisite English language skills and qualifications necessary to participate in their chosen course.

My officials and I have been working proactively with the sector to facilitate the continued access to higher education of displaced students and researchers from Ukraine. I want to acknowledge the generosity of all those working in both further and higher education, who have assisted my Department to identify and respond to the needs of displaced students, researchers and staff.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Ukrainian refugees and students that have fled the war in Ukraine and enrolled in third level courses or due to begin studies here this autumn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As of 30 June, there were 38,789 arrivals into Ireland from Ukraine. In line with the EU Temporary Protection Directive they have been granted access to the labour market, housing, social welfare and education on the same basis as an Irish citizen.

As enrolments to higher education colleges have not commenced yet and at this stage it is not yet possible to estimate accurately how many may wish to study while in Ireland.

However, in my engagements with the Ukrainian community here I know that the primary aim of many here is to maintain links with their home country and that is why my Department is working with the Ukrainian authorities to facilitate Ukrainian University Entrance Exams being held here in Ireland.

For those that wish to continue their education in Ireland, I have established a National Student and Researcher Helpdesk. This facility is vital in helping us to understand the scale of the provision needed and to assist those seeking to continue with their education in Ireland. While it has received over 1,700 queries to date, many of these are duplicates with those received separately by higher education institutions, while other depend on English Language competency and academic requirements. They are being worked through individually by the NSR Helpdesk.

Displaced Ukrainian students and researchers looking for help with their admissions applications should contact the National Student and Researcher Helpdesk on NSRhelpdesk@mu.ie or by phone on 01 4747788 for guidance on admissions, for help with translating their educational documentation and assessment of their English language competency.