Minister seeks review of rules for children of migrant workers

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has asked his officials to review the situation facing the children of non-EU migrant workers blocked from the same financial supports as other students attending college.

Campaign groups say that residency stamps issued by the immigration system to these children when they turn 16 do not reflect the realities of young people who have come here to join their parents, and cause problems securing long-term residency and citizenship. As a result, according to Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), their parents can face costs that are three times those of Irish students, even though they may have spent most of their lives in this country.

The issue was raised at the Labour Party conference in April and a spokesperson for the minister said he was concerned at the situation.