Dáil debates

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Other Questions

Third Level Admissions Reform

3:25 am

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made in achieving the goal set out in the Programme for Government to double the number of international students studying here particularly attracting students from India, China and the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43108/12]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in implementing a National Strategy for International Education to develop the Education Ireland brand by encouraging more international students to study here and to create new jobs in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43110/12]

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.

We are pursuing a range of actions to implement the international education strategy and to position Ireland as a top-quality destination for study. At present, some 32,000 students are registered in Irish higher education institutions, including 7,000 studying on Irish programmes overseas.

We are concentrating our efforts on countries with potential for significant growth. An education mission to China took place in March last and further missions are expected for India, the Gulf, Vietnam and Malaysia in the coming months. I will formally launch a scholarship scheme later this year targeted at priority markets.

A series of branding initiatives are being rolled out by Enterprise Ireland, including an enhanced website, a social media strategy and a student ambassador programme.

On the regulatory front, the new Quality and Qualifications Agency will introduce a statutory code of practice and international education mark, in line with the recently enacted qualifications and quality assurance Act.

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for the reply.

He outlined the number as approximately 32,000, which is up some 6,000 on the 2010 figures I had. Even if one only considers the revenue created from that number of students in 2010 was €900 million, no doubt this is an important factor, not only for the universities but for the Irish economy. International students stay on average between 20 and 25 weeks, and that is a boost to local economies.

I welcome all of the initiatives Deputy Cannon outlined in terms of Enterprise Ireland and the trade missions. It is something that we should not lose sight of. There should be a significant focus put on this up until 2015 to meet the targets which were set out last year. It is important not only for the universities in terms of the funding pressures they find themselves under and the advantages of bringing in international students, but also in helping local economies and local businesses.

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I wholeheartedly agree with everything the Deputy has said. This market will certainly be a major focus of my Department and the Government over the coming years.

We are beginning to see interesting developments, particularly in the relationship that exists between Ireland and Asia. A number of our universities have formed strong linkages or partnerships with institutes, in particular, in China and Malaysia, and we want to growth those partnerships and linkages over the coming years.

Rather than a fragmented university-by-university approach, we want to see a collaborative approach across all of third level provision in attracting students into Ireland. The new Education Ireland brand, which has been developed by Enterprise Ireland, is proving effective in that regard.