Barriers to Education for Asylum Seekers in Ireland: The Impact of IPAS Policies

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Education is widely recognized as a fundamental right and a key tool for empowerment. However, for asylum seekers in Ireland, pursuing higher education presents significant obstacles, not just financially but also logistically. While asylum seeking children can attend primary and secondary schools under the same conditions as Irish citizens, access to third level education remains a challenge due to restrictive policies, high fees, and lack of support. 

One of the most pressing issues is the refusal of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) to transfer asylum seekers in Direct Provision to accommodation closer to their universities. This policy forces many students to endure lengthy, expensive commutes or, in some cases, give up on their education entirely. This article examines the impact of IPAS policies on asylum seekers' access to education, shares personal testimonies, and highlights the urgent need for policy reform. 

Higher Education: Systemic Barriers and Financial Hardships 

For many asylum seekers, higher education is often an unattainable goal. Unlike Irish citizens, those in the international protection process do not automatically qualify for free fees or state-funded grants. Instead, they are classified as non-EU students, requiring them to pay exorbitant tuition fees often exceeding €10,000 per year. 

To address this, the Irish government introduced the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers in 2015, later renamed the International Protection Student Scheme. While initially requiring applicants to have spent at least five years in the Irish education system, advocacy efforts led to a reduction to three years in 2020. However, even with these changes, uptake remains low, with only 51 out of 187  applicants having benefited from the scheme since its inception. 

For those who do manage to secure funding or scholarships, another challenge arises: IPAS policies prevent students from transferring to accommodation closer to their universities. Many are housed in remote Direct Provision centres, sometimes several hours away from their institutions, making daily commutes exhausting and impractical. 

The Burden of Commuting: Student Experiences 

To gain a better idea of collective difficulties students faced in accessing third level education in Ireland, I interviewed students from different contexts to bear witness to more perspective on the topic. Here is what they have to say: 

Anon, 22: “I moved to Ireland at 16 and quickly adapted to the education system, excelling in my studies. Despite earning top Leaving Certificate results, I faced the harsh reality of high tuition fees and the fact that I was in a centre far from my preferred colleges. I had the ambition and the grades, but without financial support, my dreams were put on hold." 

Oratile’s Experience: The Struggle of Commuting 

“As a university student living in Direct Provision, I travel from Waterford to Maynooth University a journey of over three hours round trip because I was denied a transfer. The physical and financial toll of this commute makes succeeding academically even harder, but because I am determined to get my degree I am persevering.” 

Students in similar situations often arrive at lectures exhausted, struggle to keep up with coursework, and have little time for extracurricular engagement or social integration. Some, faced with the impossible burden, simply abandon their studies. 

IPAS Policies: Restricting Access to Education 

The House Rules and Procedures for Reception and Accommodation Centres, issued by IPAS, explicitly state that asylum seekers cannot choose their accommodation and that transfers are granted only in "rare and exceptional circumstances." Education is not recognized as a valid reason for relocation. 

This policy contradicts fundamental human rights protections, including: 

• The European Convention on Human Rights (Article 2, Protocol 1): Ensuring the right to education. 
• UNHCR Guidelines on Refugee Education: Emphasizing the importance of education in integration and self-sufficiency. 

By denying transfers, Ireland effectively blocks asylum seekers from accessing the education necessary for their development and integration. 

Limited Vocational Training and Alternative Pathways 

Vocational training is accessible to asylum seekers only if they obtain permission to work, a process that can take years. Some localized initiatives, such as the Refugee Access Programme in Dublin and the SOLAS Learning for Asylum Seekers programme in Galway and Mayo, provide limited support, but accessibility is largely dependent on the location of Direct Provision centres. 

The Role of Universities and Civil Society 

Recognizing these challenges, some Irish universities and institutes of technology have introduced scholarship programs for asylum seekers. As of 2022, seven out of eight universities and nine out of eleven institutes of technology offered financial support. Additionally, the Irish Refugee Council’s Education Fund provides small grants to help students cover education-related expenses. 

While these efforts are commendable, they do not address the root problem: structural policies that continue to exclude asylum seekers from full access to education. Without systemic reform, scholarships alone cannot bridge the gap. 

Policy Recommendations: Urgent Reforms Needed 

To ensure equal educational opportunities for asylum seekers, the following policy changes are essential: 

1. Recognize Education as a Valid Reason for Transfer 

IPAS must revise its policies to allow asylum seekers in Direct Provision to relocate closer to their universities. 

2. Expand Access to Free Fees and Grants 

The International Protection Student Scheme should align with the SUSI grant system to ensure equal financial support. The classification of asylum seekers as non-EU students must be revised to prevent discrimination in tuition fees. 

3. Enhance Vocational Training Accessibility 

Universities and government bodies needs to expand Further Education and Training (FET) options for asylum seekers, regardless of their employment status. Develop training programs tailored to the skills and qualifications of international protection applicants. 

4. Increase University and Civil Society Advocacy 

Higher education institutions should play a more active role in lobbying for policy changes that support asylum-seeking students. 

Education is not just a privilege—it is a necessity for integration and economic empowerment. While Ireland has made some progress, existing policies continue to exclude asylum seekers from fully participating in higher education. The refusal to transfer students closer to their universities is a significant barrier that forces many to abandon their studies. 

Without targeted reforms, Ireland will continue to fail in its obligation to provide meaningful access to education for all. Addressing these issues is not just a matter of policy, it is a matter of justice. 

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