Education

Education Information Booklet 2021-2022

Education plays a vital role in people's development, self-esteem and integration. It is also an investment in our future, in our country, in our progress. Given opportunity, people excel. When people excel, society prospers. Our Education work broadens access to higher education for people in the protection process.

Our Education Fund provides grants to students allowing them to enter education
We support the development of scholarships and other opportunities in universities, institutes of technology and colleges
We undertake individual advocacy and casework on behalf of students

Education Access

Adults in the protection process have limited opportunities to maintain or further progress their education. Every year young people prepare for their Leaving Certificate exams with the knowledge that they may not be able to progress onto college with their peers. The biggest barrier people face in accessing education is financial.

Education Fund Student Celebrations 2019

Education Fund

Our Education Fund was established in 2015 with support from the Community Foundation for Ireland. The fund provides financial assistance to people in the protection process to access further education. Through very generous donations from the public and the private sector, the fund has continued to assist people in the asylum process with their educational needs including course fees, transportation costs and course materials. The fund is usually open for applications in July with grants offered in August for courses running from September to the following May.

Impact

Over 150 people have been assisted into further education through the Fund with more people being supported each year. The Irish Refugee Council, and the students we assist, are very grateful for the support of Coillte, Gibneys, Community Foundation for Ireland, Mason Hayes Curran, Salesforce, The Quakers and also many individuals and families who have supported this work.

If you want to find out more about our education work, inquire about applying for a grant or would like to organise a fundraiser or become a partner of our Education fund, please get in touch with our Education Officer, Charlotte Byrne.

Email Charlotte

Resources

Our information booklet contains information about further and higher education in Ireland and the scholarships and opportunities that universities and colleges offer for people in the protection process.