Over the past decade of inwards migration to Ireland, significant gaps in our immigration policies and procedures have made it difficult for children of non-EU migrants to secure citizenship. This continues to have a direct and often negative impact on the ability of these young people to progress to third-level education. There is currently no provision for residency to inform criteria for accessing financial assistance at third level in Ireland. Citizenship remains core to criteria meaning hundreds of long-term resident non-EU migrants are unfairly disadvantaged in attempting to progress to third level. These young people are living here for a minimum of 3 years – many in fact have completed their primary and secondary level education in this country – have made Ireland their home and have put down roots. Finding a solution to this problem will enable this generation of young people to participate in and contribute to Irish society and Irish economic recovery.
