Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, in September last year I published a consultation paper on a proposed new immigration regime for full-time non-EEA students. The consultation paper was prepared, in consultation with the relevant key Departments, following a review by my own Department of the operation of the current student regime. That review had been undertaken having regard to the need to ensure greater coherence in the way we deal with non-EEA students within our immigration system and the fact that it was generally accepted that there was a need for greater regulation in the student area.

As I have stated previously, the Government recognises that international education is a vital industry with significant growth potential and is committed to enhancing Ireland's potential in this area. The immigration regime for students is a key element in this strategy through providing a visibly strong regulatory environment that safeguards against potential abuses of the system, thereby ensuring that Ireland's reputation as a quality destination for international students is maintained. At the same time, looking at the bigger immigration picture, it is self-evident that what we do in one area cannot undermine one of the core principles of any immigration system, that is, the State must be satisfied that persons coming to Ireland do so for a genuine purpose and comply with the immigration conditions of their stay.

This project has a very strong cross-departmental dimension and what is being done in respect of immigration dovetails with initiatives announced by my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, in the area of quality assurance, rationalisation of accreditation structures and marketing of the Irish educational product abroad. The two Departments have been working very closely together on this matter. My Department is also engaged with the industry and is receptive to any realistic proposals that facilitate the development of the industry without compromising our immigration system.

Underlying the approach adopted in the consultation paper was a realisation that the current "one size fits all" regime for students no longer is appropriate and, therefore, a more flexible and differentiated system is being proposed. The paper also acknowledges the reality that for most non-EEA nationals, the only real avenue to come to Ireland for low-skilled or casual work is as a registered student, thereby creating a significant incentive for the student route to be a channel for economic migration. This is a challenge for immigration systems worldwide.

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