Can a college refuse you a position

whats newxt

Can a college refuse you a position (education) based solely on the fact that you have a criminal record?
I was always under the impression that everyone has the right to education?

WhiteWalls

Well if you don't get a garda clearance then yes, I presume its a course working with children or looking after people?

bisset

If you are applying for a course that requires Garda vetting,e.g. B.A. in Social Care there may be a problem if you have a conviction for an offence involving violence.

whats newxt

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Well if you don't get a garda clearance then yes, I presume its a course working with children or looking after people?

No the course has to do with computers and everyone on the course will be over 18

WhiteWalls

whats newxt wrote: »

No the course has to do with computers and everyone on the course will be over 18

And at what stage were you asked about it? Can't see why you wouldn't be let to it

whats newxt

WhiteWalls wrote: »

And at what stage were you asked about it? Can't see why you wouldn't be let to it

I was just asked for garda clearance even tho the course doesn't really require it which i don't think i'll get as i have a few public order offences from years ago.

coylemj

whats newxt wrote: »

I was just asked for garda clearance even tho the course doesn't really require it which i don't think i'll get as i have a few public order offences from years ago.

Are you being trained to teach IT or what exactly is the course and what's the college?

WhiteWalls

whats newxt wrote: »

I was just asked for garda clearance even tho the course doesn't really require it which i don't think i'll get as i have a few public order offences from years ago.

Go into your local station and explain your situation. Say that you want to do the course. If the convictions are from a few years ago then I cant see why it should affect you now.

Gardai take a lot of flax but the vast majority of them will help you if they can. Your trying to better yourself so they will help you i'd imagine

whats newxt

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Go into your local station and explain your situation. Say that you want to do the course. If the convictions are from a few years ago then I cant see why it should affect you now.

Gardai take a lot of flax but the vast majority of them will help you if they can. Your trying to better yourself so they will help you i'd imagine

I will definitely try that but in the case that i'm refused do you think i could take legal action against the college. No it's not teaching it's just a programmings course, fetac certificate.

No Pants

whats newxt wrote: »

I will definitely try that but in the case that i'm refused do you think i could take legal action against the college. No it's not teaching it's just a programmings course, fetac certificate.

On what grounds?

bisset

If it something like you breaking a shop's windows on the way home from the pub when you were 19 and you're now 29 and haven't come to Garda attention since its unlikely to be considered relevant.

whats newxt

No Pants wrote: »

On what grounds?

Refusing me education (which is a basic human right) based solely on the fact that i have a criminal record.

leeroybrown

You'll quickly realise that you don't have any "basic human right" to a third level education and that the institution you're applying to is regardless of state funding a private organisation that has a lot of discretion regarding granting of places. That said, I hope you succeed in getting into your course of choice despite the conviction. Get your Garda clearance and you may find that they don't care about those particular offences.

WhiteWalls

whats newxt wrote: »

I will definitely try that but in the case that i'm refused do you think i could take legal action against the college. No it's not teaching it's just a programmings course, fetac certificate.

Talk to the guards first and see then, think positive.. If one Guard is not sound about it, ask to talk to another one!!

chops018

whats newxt wrote: »

Refusing me education (which is a basic human right) based solely on the fact that i have a criminal record.

3rd level education is not a basic human right. In fact, education in general would probably be seen more so as a socio-economic human right, basic human rights would be things like food, shelter etc.

I suppose in developed countries like Ireland you could probably say that at least primary education is a basic right though.. but certainly not any higher than that.

numorouno

Have you been refused or is it what if scenario?

Makood

chops018 wrote: »

3rd level education is not a basic human right. In fact, education in general would probably be seen more so as a socio-economic human right, basic human rights would be things like food, shelter etc.

I suppose in developed countries like Ireland you could probably say that at least primary education is a basic right though.. but certainly not any higher than that.

Where?

However a few minor convictions would be very unlikely to affect the application.

IMO

whats newxt

It's a what if scenario anyway i might get it, if i don't i go back and plant a bomb

Flaregon

whats newxt wrote: »

It's a what if scenario anyway i might get it, if i don't i go back and plant a bomb

Gets popcorn and waits on the fireworks.
With that thinking im sure you will get in......

chops018

Makood wrote: »

Where?

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx

Pretty much everywhere by the looks of who's signed and ratified this.

Little CuChulainn

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Talk to the guards first and see then, think positive.. If one Guard is not sound about it, ask to talk to another one!!

What are you on about? The Gardaí don't give clearance, they just pass on your record. It's the college or employer that decide whether to pass you. It's also not done in stations but in the Central Vetting unit.

numorouno

Why not just wait and see. I doubt it will have any bearing on your particular course. I'd imagine if it involved working with vulnerable people it would obviously enough

Fat Bastard

whats newxt wrote: »

No the course has to do with computers and everyone on the course will be over 18

is this a PLC place separate from the usual CAO application?

If so, then perhaps yes, it will most likely be a private college where they can set their own rules.

Fat Bastard

Depends what it is for.

Drugs / civil offense ... no bother.

Crime against another person such as theft, then the gallows is too good for you.

the world wonders

chops018 wrote: »

3rd level education is not a basic human right.

And even if it was you can be deprived of all sorts of basic human rights if you commit a crime.

WhiteWalls

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

What are you on about? The Gardaí don't give clearance, they just pass on your record. It's the college or employer that decide whether to pass you. It's also not done in stations but in the Central Vetting unit.

a decent skipper can help you out if your not a bad lad

usernamegoes

Well under the DP Acts they can only ask for Sensitive Personal Information like a criminal record if it relevant.

One could argue that that it's not relevant otherwise they would have access to the vetting system. Also how would they find out?

Peppa Pig

whats newxt wrote: »

It's a what if scenario anyway i might get it, if i don't i go back and plant a bomb

Bizarrely, you'd probably be allowed to do the course in Mountjoy then.

lovelyjubbly

WhiteWalls wrote: »

a decent skipper can help you out if your not a bad lad

They can't, it's centralised down the country. I think in Offaly, so your local Guard cannot help.

Mr McBoatface

The Garda do not "clear" anybody for any position voluntary, education or work related. The garda provide a report to the organisation concerned detailing a persons criminal record. You should always be upfront with any organisation on criminal convictions, it is worse to deny any wrong doing and then to have them discovered during a "garda clearance report/check". Once the report is received the organisation should then review it's contents and decide if your criminal past warrants exclusion from dealing/working with them.

A child sex offender is not going to be giving a job working in a creche, a person with a 10 year old drunk & disorderly charge who has committed no crimes since shouldn't be a problem.

Also it has happened from time to time a person report may be incorrect and the incorrect details returned.......so you should ask for the results of the check to be made available to you.

Finally garda clearance in this country is a joke, If you volunteer with 4 different groups who require garda clearance , each group must get separate clearance report. There should be a national clearance card associated with your PPS number that you can show to each organisation with annual renewal.

Victor

apricotpie wrote: »

why should criminals be entitled to an education?

So they can become constructive members of society.

Goat the dote

lovelyjubbly wrote: »

They can't, it's centralised down the country. I think in Offaly, so your local Guard cannot help.

And rightly so. If everyone chatted to a guard they knew there'd be limited disclosure of facts.
OP if they decline you a place on the basis of a criminal record then really the only person to blame is yourself

No Pants

whats newxt wrote: »

Refusing me education (which is a basic human right) based solely on the fact that i have a criminal record.

We'll, that's nonsense. With a "few public order offences" and a bomb threat, I'd say most colleges would be falling over themselves to take you on.

sasta le

A few public order offences? If an interview they can make a choice on if they want you or not