Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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920.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what state supports are provided for Ukrainian students, and how such supports compare to those offered to those fleeing other conflict zones, seeking refuge in Ireland, and are wishing to continue their education in Ireland and; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25568/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Currently, my department provides a range of measures to help Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) access further and higher education in Ireland.

The Temporary Tuition Fee Support Scheme provides EU tuition fee funding for eligible students attending a full-time approved course in a publicly funded higher education institution (HEI). The scheme is aimed at eligible first-time students and students seeking to progress to a higher level of study up to post-graduate level. The applicable EU tuition fee is paid directly to the HEI where the eligible student is registered.

These students are also entitled to a financial stipend of €1,150 per month, which is paid directly to the student via the Erasmus national grant.

Separately, the PLC Bursary for Displaced Persons (Ukraine) Scheme is aimed at BOTPs who would like to participate in a SOLAS-approved full-time post leaving certificate (PLC) course in their local Education and Training Board. The scheme is administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) on behalf of the Department and sees students receive financial support in the form of a bursary of €6,115, which is paid in monthly instalments in the academic year. The bursary is open to students starting year one of an approved PLC course or progressing into the second year of an approved two year course.

The International Protection Student (IPS) Scheme was introduced in 2015. It is targeted at three particular groups of students (asylum applicants, subsidiary protection applications and leave to remain applicants) who;

1. have been in the protection system or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage for at least three years;

2. have been resident in Ireland for three years, and,

3. are pursuing an approved post-leaving certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate course.

Such students cannot access the Student Grant Scheme as they do not have leave to remain in the State and therefore do not fulfil the nationality requirements.

The IPS Scheme largely mirrors the Student Grant Scheme, and the 2024 edition is currently being finalised.