Foreign nationals planning to study in Ireland face a maze of confusing and unco-ordinated policies, a study published yesterday revealed.
Molly O'Duffy, of the Dublin Inner City Partnership and author of the report, Barriers to access to Further and Higher Education for non-EU Nationals Resident in Ireland, said the impact of the current situation on students was "devastating".
"Policies are ad hoc and ethnic minority students pay the price," she said.
The report, which was published by Pobal, says Ireland is obliged under various international instruments to take a human-rights based approach to education policy.
"When policies are being developed to implement political and economic objectives . . . an assessment of their impact on the enjoyment of the rights identified must be at the centre of the process."
The report identifies lack of clear information about how to get into university for someone new to the Irish system.
The non-recognition of prior qualifications gained in non-EU countries was also cited.
"A number of potential students interviewed had stories to illustrate what they saw as the patronising and uninformed attitude of universities and colleges to their prior learning and qualifications."
Financial problems also emerged as an issue, with the fact that non-EU nationals were not entitled to grants highlighted. Access to social welfare was also a recurring theme.
The report notes: "The fees charged to non-EU nationals are inconsistent and unrealistic."
Referring to the cultural problems it adds: ". . . students found they are now part of a religious or ethnic minority and have to deal with hostility and prejudice".
It continues that it should not be assumed adapting could be left to the student, saying there is an onus on colleges to be proactive in accommodating diversity.
"Incidents of discrimination and racism do occur . . . and strategies to combat this are inadequate." Racism exists at the individual and institutional levels, it adds.
Among the report's recommendations are:
• A national policy for teaching English as a second language in schools be developed.
• Non-EU nationals who have been long-term resident in Ireland be entitled to educational grants.
