Ireland today and the 1.5 generation

1. Minding The Gap Seminar 13th March 2013Over View of Issues and case studies Helen Lowry - MRCIJesha Lou Villaver and YuliyaKlyukina - Migrant Education Access project

2. Ireland today and the 1.5 generation • Ireland as a diverse multicultural country • 17% of population born outside of Ireland (2011 Census) • Ireland’s youth population diverse • 1 in 7 children migrant background • estimated 22,681 children born outside the EU registered in Irish secondary schools (2011, Dept of Education) • Ireland at a particular point in our immigration (inwards migration) history • 15 years on from first significant experience of inwards migration • Who are the 1.5 generation • Children of Non EU migrants not born in Ireland or the EU but resident in Ireland for a minimum of 5 years, have made Ireland home • Went to secondary school in Ireland in some cases primary school • Motivation - came to Ireland to reunite with parents and family members

3. Understanding the problem The Irish Immigration system • Absence of coherent framework of immigration law over the past decade • In addition policies not constructed to deal with needs and realities of child dependents joining non EU migrant parents • Registration at 16 – lack of status beforehand • Residency stamps inappropriate and ineligible • Lack of pathways to permanency and citizenship for children of Non EU migrants • Welcome developments by Department of Justice and Equality but essentially interim measures leaving some young people to fall between gaps

4. Understanding the problem Progressing to third level education • Interim and adhoc responses by third level institutes over past decade have become policy e.g. ‘EU fees’ • ‘EU fees’ whilst less than international student fees still amount to on average €7000 for a typical 3 year degree in an Irish university • Lack of access to financial assistance primarily due to nationality criteria for free fees initiative and higher education grants • Inability to reverse fee status upon securing citizenship mid third level education

5. Jesha Lou & Yuliya’s story

6. Impact on young people and their families • Stress, anxiety and worry • Financial pressure, debt, disposable income drained, at greater risk of poverty • Young people not taking up their CAO offer to save money for fees and/or wait until naturalised • Going to collage not an option – a lost generation? • Making difficult choices between siblings, courses, returning to home country

7. Numbers effected • A lack of clear data but not as many as you would think • Faster naturalisation procedures • Introduction of new measures to facilitate naturalisation process for children dependents in • 2,192 Non EEA between the ages of 16 and 18 currently registered with the GNIB (PQ 2013) • = approximately 730 students per year of the leaving cert cycle • Many will secure citizenship, not all will choose to go to third level education

8. Cost/benefit argument Cost to the state Benefits Unemployment rates for 3rd level graduate lower by over 50% 3rd level graduates earn more = higher wages = higher consumer spending power = higher tax contribution = better for the economy • Short term cost 12,690 invested by state per student X 613 (84% entry rate) _________________ = Approx €7 million

9. Rationale for Minding the Gap • Short term cost to the Department of Education will save the state a fortune in the longer term i.e. cant afford not to do something • Numbers impacted can be dealt with prior to forthcoming Immigration Bill • Investment in Ireland’s future • Knowledge economy subjects • Bright, ambitious young people and their contribution • Particular insights and experiences the 1.5 generation bring (dual identities, intercultural understanding) • Equality, social inclusion, social cohesion arguments – setting the standards for future generations