Seventeen asylum seekers are to be given sanctuary scholarship to enable them to study at the University of Limerick, as part of its University of Sanctuary designation, on what is UN World Refugee day.
The awards-the first such awards at a University in Ireland will enable those living in Direct Provision to begin Mature Student Access certificate courses beginning in September, and the scholarship will cover all their fees and travel costs, college subsistence, stationary, and IT costs.
Sixteen of the recipients are living at Direct Provision centres in Limerick city, and one in Killarney.
From next year refugees and asylum seekers currently studying at second level will be able to apply for the scholarships.
Once the pre-degree course is completed, most of the scholarships students will be able to apply for all eligible Department of Education and University grants available to all Irish students.
For those who still struggle and who have been in direct provision for three years, further sanctuary scholarships will be available to enable them to complete their four years degree courses.
It is one of the initiatives being undertaken by the University of Limerick to promote access and to integrate those from a refugee and asylum background into third level education.
Dr Mairead Moriarty, Chair of the University of Limerick's Sanctuary steering committee said "the current refugee crisis tests the inner strength of our educational culture, and at UL we believe that a University education should be a possibility for all".
"We have been committed to providing access to our University for people from all backgrounds and we are delighted to extend this to people currently living in Direct provision." she added.
UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald said the sanctuary designation was a huge honour for UL and they will use it to be a regional leader in promoting a culture of welcome, and to provide a space for the celebration of the richness and diversity a multilingual and multicultural group brings to its community, both culturally and economically.
The designation awarded to the University is also a step toward Limerick being designated a City of Sanctuary, already awarded to a number of cities in the UK which are committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome , especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.
