The government of Ireland announced yesterday, on August 17, the opening of a new scheme for displaced Ukrainian refugees that will enable them to continue further education.
“In June, the Cabinet approved a range of new measures to provide access to further and higher education in the academic year 2022/2023 to Ukrainian students living in Ireland who have been granted Section 60 Protection under the International Protection Act 2015,” the statement issued by the government reads, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Commenting on the decision, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD confirmed that qualified persons would be able to attend Solas approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses free of charge, and financial assistance will also be provided to assist them with their course.
Minister Harris also revealed that nearly 45,000 refugees from Ukraine have fled their country and entered Ireland so far.
According to him, the generosity of the Irish people has been extraordinary since many Ukrainian families continue to be involved in the Irish community, and the government must provide opportunities for these refugees to access education and employment.
“This scheme will allow any person under the Temporary Directive access to post-leaving cert courses. PLC courses are delivered in various disciplines, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary Education, ICT, etc. So there are countless opportunities across the country,” he pointed out in this regard.
Financial assistance will also benefit people attending the courses which the awarding authority will administer, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), on behalf of the Department of Innovation and Science in Further and Higher Education Research.
As the Minister explained, this financial support is for a limited period of one year, in the form of a scholarship of approximately €6,115 that will be paid in monthly instalments to qualified persons who will attend a PLC course approved by SOLAS in the academic year 2022/23.
Furthermore, the government has pointed out that fees for all post-departure certificate courses have been waived for asylum seekers and Irish students from September.
Previously, the Irish authorities have estimated that over 41,000 new students coming from Ukraine will be able to be accommodated in the Irish education system if necessary.
In addition, the European Commission has claimed that close to 25,000 places are available at the primary level for children fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, education officials have added that although the school survey has not been completed yet, there is still room to accommodate 16,000 to 18,000 more students.