Further and Higher Education

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Questions (198)

Paul Murphy

Question:

198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether migrants and refugees will be discouraged from accessing education, training and upskilling supports that require people to be in receipt of a social welfare payment in light of proposals from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to penalise migrants and refugees who rely on essential social welfare supports such as disability allowance, carer's allowance or working family payment in terms of eligibility for naturalisation; if her Department was consulted about these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70608/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

All children and young people up to the age of 18 years, including those who come to Ireland as migrants or refugees, have access to free primary and post-primary education on the same basis as Irish nationals. A school must admit all students, regardless of nationality or immigration status, where it is not oversubscribed and places are available.

I do not envisage that the recent changes announced by my colleague the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will change how children and young people access primary and post-primary education.