Minding The Gap Seminar 13th March 2013

Over View of Issues and case studies Helen Lowry - MRCI

Jesha Lou Villaver and Yuliya Klyukina - Migrant Education Access project

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 schoolMotivation - came to Ireland to reunite with parents and family

members

Understanding the problem The Irish Immigration system

Absence of coherent framework of immigration

law over the past decadeIn addition policies not constructed to deal with

needs and realities of child dependents joining non EU migrant parents Registration at 16 – lack of status beforehandResidency stamps inappropriate and ineligibleLack 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

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

Jesha Lou & Yuliya’s story

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

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

Cost/benefit argument

Cost to the state

• Short term cost

12,690 invested by state per student

X 613 (84% entry rate)_________________= Approx €7 million

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

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