Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 25 together.

In line with the objectives of the programme for Government, my Department has been working on implementing the recommendations set out in the new immigration regime for full-time non-European Economic Area students which has been in operation since 1 January 2011. Before outlining the steps which have been taken to implement the new student regime, I advise the House that approximately 30,300 non-EEA students are registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB. Statistics from the GNIB provide a snapshot of registrations. Of course, the majority of non-Irish students currently pursuing studies in Ireland are from EU countries.

I can report to the House that the Government has made significant progress on the reform of the student migration system within the framework of the new immigration regime. To date the following initiatives have been implemented. The regime distinguishes between degree programmes and language and non-degree programme courses and provides for appropriate time limits for each programme. The recommended maximum time limit of seven years residence in Ireland as a student has been implemented. Short-term English language students - those staying for a maximum period of up to 90 days - are now regarded as educational tourists for visa purposes and are therefore not subject to the student residency requirements. An enhanced post study pathway for graduates has been available to non-EEA students since October 2010, with honours degree graduates now able to avail of a 12 month graduate scheme permission. Fast tracking of Irish accredited degree programme visa applications has been rolled out in visa offices. A pilot visa scheme developed by INIS and Marketing English in Ireland, MEI, the representative body for English language schools, has been rolled out in the Turkish market to attract students from Turkey. A pilot visa scheme with regard to Chinese English language students is being developed with MEI with a view to maximising the potential of the Chinese student market, which we regard as substantial. A trusted agent programme has been launched in India in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, whereby reputable agents in India who work with the Irish higher education sector would have their cases prioritised in the visa system. A new pilot scheme for verification of the finances the student needs to support him or herself in Ireland is currently being piloted in the key markets of India and China.

Visa Statistics for 2011 and the first three quarters of 2012 are available on the web pages of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. A comparison of the two years illustrates the success of the Government's ongoing initiatives in regard to international education. In the first nine months of the present year, 5,881 student visas were granted and 619 were refused, which represents an overall approval rate of 90% for student visa applications. During the 12 months of 2011, 4741 student visas were granted and 671 refused, representing a 87.6% approval rate for student visas. The number of visas granted in the first three quarters of this year already exceeds the number granted for the whole of 2011 by 24%. Adjusting for the fact that junior English language students from Russia were treated as visitors rather than students during 2011, a policy that was changed for this year, the figures show that the number of visas granted to students in the first three quarters of 2012 still exceeds the 12 month 2011 figure by 12.5%. The individual approval rates in the first three quarters of 2012 for key markets are also very encouraging. The approval rate for China stands at 93%, for India it is 85% and Russia it is 98%. My officials inform me that these approval rates represent a slight increase on the rates for the applicable period in 2011.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

In relation to the processing of visa applications for the purpose of study or taking up employment, while some issues may arise in specific cases I am not aware of any systemic difficulties or delays at present in such processing. With regard to the latter category the applicant will have obtained, in the first instance, a work permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and in these circumstances the visa process is usually a routine matter. On study visas, I am informed by officials in the visa section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that there are no undue delays in the processing of such visas.

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