Minding The Gap International Experiences and Proposed Solutions The Science Gallery

1. Minding The Gap International Experiences and Proposed Solutions The Science Gallery March 13th 2013

2. Implications for Integration • Education • In order for children of immigrants to participate successfully and actively in society, key efforts in education are critical. • It is important to keep pushing the equality and social inclusion arguments. • Third Level Education plays an active role in reducing income inequality and avoiding social exclusion – therefore realising integration.

3. Implications for Integration • Immigration Legislation • The lack of a comprehensive piece of immigration legislation results in an uneven access to naturalisation for children dependants. • Currently there are no provisions for children dependants to access long-term or permanent residency status – leaving naturalisation as an only option. • Where efforts have been made to recognise the time spent in the State pre-registration, they are still conditioned to certain documentation related to the parents – therefore increasing dependency and not catering for relationship breakdowns

4. European Practices • United Kingdom • Anyone deemed a “Home Student” pays tuition fees at a lower rate than someone deemed “Overseas Student” • Anyone who is legally resident in the State and free of immigration restrictions; and can justify of three years of ordinary residency prior to the start of the academic year is considered a “Home Student” • Anyone deemed a “Home Student” has access to the same loan system in the UK as British Citizens.

5. European Practices • France • French universities are open to all students who have passed the Baccalaureat, irrespective of country of origin. • Tuition Fees in France are 181.57 €uros per year for undergraduates, and 249.57 € per year for post graduate Master's courses. Mandatory health insurance for students costs €200 a year and cover most of the medical expenses. • Children of migrant workers are treated as any other student if they hold legal residence. The grants system is means-tested on household incomes.

6. Recommendations • Immigration Policy and Legislation • Passage of a comprehensive Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill is needed to guarantee rights and pathways of permanent residency and citizenship to young migrants in this situation. • Registration of minors upon arrival conferring a consistent clear and independent residency stamp that does count towards permanent residency and citizenship. • In the shorter term due to the role of citizenship in the access to Third Level Education, applications for naturalisation for young people in this situation need to be fast tracked by the Department of Justice and Equality

7. Recommendations • Education Policies and Procedures • An immediate re-examination of the criteria of access to financial assistance for higher education (Free fees scheme) • Develop a coherent set of guidelines for all Irish third level institutes regarding fees for the children of non-EU migrants, including a standard residency test implemented by the Department of Education. Residency rather than citizenship should be used as a criteria for accessing financial assistance • Immediate response from the Department regarding the inability of young people who have secured Irish citizenship to reverse their fee status. Whilst already catered by certain universities and institutes, uniformed guidelines are needed to allow young people to enjoy the privileges of Irish citizenship in accordance to Art. 40.1 of our Constitution. • Resource information sharing and awareness raising with secondary schools and teachers about this issue before young people complete their leaving certificate

8. Further Information Pablo Rojas Coppari Strategic Advocacy Officer Pablo@mrci.ie