Limerick Leader Anna Kern (left) pictured with her mother, Lyudmyla Kyrychenko and sister, Olga Kyrychenko. Limerick Leader

A LEAVING CERT student living in direct provision has been told to accept a CAO offer of a college place on Monday, although doubts remain over how exactly she will be able to attend university.

Anna Kern, who received 575 points in the examination, has been living in direct provision accommodation with her mother since moving to Ireland from Ukraine two years ago.

Education for young asylum seekers is funded until third level, meaning Kern looked unlikely to be able to attend university. She intends to study physiotherapy.

Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan intervened in the matter yesterday, offering to meet with Kern.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Kern said she received a call from the minister last night.

“She said I should accept an offer on Monday,” Kern explained.

She contacted the Royal College of Surgeons, and together they will find a way.

It remains unclear whether Kern will be able to live in student accommodation, although she believes she will be transferred to a direct provision centre in Dublin. She will also be unable to work to fund her education.

Kern added that when she finishes her degree she intends to stay in Ireland and work a physiotherapist.

Speaking to the same programme her principal, Marion Cummins of Coláiste Nano Nagle in Limerick, described it as wonderful news, adding that she didn’t believe it would have a happy ending.

“Anna has to be offered a place and we’ll see what happens after that.”

I want to acknowledge the difficulties so many other parents around the country have faced due to the huge financial costs [involved in sending a child to third-level education].

Main image courtesy of Limerick Leader.

Read: 575 points direct provision teen to meet minister about going to college >

More: Watch the moment a nervous student got the Leaving Cert points she needed >

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