Perry welcomes widening of student support services to asylum seekers

Fine Gael TD for Sligo, John Perry, has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Education that students in the asylum protection system will have access to student supports from September 2015.

“This is a progressive move by the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan to ensure that students in the asylum protection system have access to student supports. This will be available for students who have spent 5 years in the Irish school system and want to go on to third level education.

“The reality is that a small number of asylum seekers who wanted to progress to third level education have been unable to do so due to their circumstances.

“These are young people who have already overcome great challenges in their lives. It is only right that we support the most vulnerable in our society and it is really commendable for students in the asylum process to want to go on to third level education.

“I am glad to see the Government supporting these young people in their quest to educate themselves and improve the future prospects for themselves and their families.”