Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will introduce measures to reduce the number of stamp 2 visa permissions granted annually in view of the pressures on student accommodation and housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54041/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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A number of weeks ago I raised with the Minister the Government's approach to stamp 2 residency permits in respect of student visas as they are known and whether or not there are any plans for the Government to examine these types of residency permits as part of the overall management of migration. In particular, given the pressures on housing and on student accommodation, is it the Government's intention to introduce measures to reduce the number of stamp 2 visas granted annually?

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. The programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a national migration and integration strategy detailing how the Government will meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society. My Department is currently working on that with other Departments with the aim of having it published in 2026. Looking at the international student sector will obviously form part of that work.

For many years, Ireland has welcomed international students who travel here to pursue courses of study across a wide range of subject areas. This provides economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well as to the students themselves.

It makes sense that our overall strategic approach to migration would take account of this aspect of our immigration arrangements. I can say that this area is already undergoing revised certification arrangements. Currently, for non-EEA students to be eligible for immigration permission here they must be completing a course listed on what is known as the interim list of eligible programmes, ILEP, which is issued by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

The ILEP is being replaced by TrustEd which will be administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. TrustEd is now Ireland's new statutory quality mark and is part of a range of measures designed to protect international students and ensure high standards are met in the provision of education.

My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and other relevant Departments in framing policy in this area and will engage with education providers, both public and private, in developing this aspect of our national migration and integration strategy.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Of course international students are an important part of the dynamic within out third level sector. However, as with all areas there needs to be management of it and it seems to me there is none at the moment. The number of these stamp 2 residency permissions more than doubled between 2021 and 2024, with more than 60,000 of them granted.

Then there are anomalies in the system. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute's, ESRI's, most recent report on migration and asylum, 45% of first residency permits issued in 2023 were for education. It is the most common reason for issuing permits to non-EEA nationals while employment accounts for only 27%. When we consider Ireland has 1.25% of the EU's population but allocates 7.15% of all permits for education purposes in the EU, we can be seen how there are anomalies there. The question is: does Government take cognisance of the student accommodation crisis when allocating these visas as to whether or not it will impact on that crisis?

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement of the fact that international students do make a contribution. They contribute in so many ways to our country. The Government is looking at student visas in the context of our national migration and immigration strategy.

For the purpose of clarity with regard to the issue of total registrations, there can be multiple registrations during a year, so the number of total registrations is not entirely indicative of the number of students but it is a reasonable guide.

When looking at the broader framework, it is important that we look at students, namely the number of students coming here, the types of courses they are studying and the benefit people and academic institutions are getting from that and that we take an overall broader look which takes all aspects of this into account. There is no point in saying anything but that the students do make a great contribution in so many ways to Ireland and that is important to recognise.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Absolutely, that point is not in dispute. That is why these visa allocations should be based on educational and societal benefits. I fear that in many cases the international students are being used to make up for the funding shortfall in third level institutions. They are seen as a mechanism by which money can be made - money which the universities are starved of.

Second, there is this new private sector, namely English language schools with very high proportions of students coming from countries outside of the EEA. Anecdotally at least, some of those visas are being used to allow people to work in sectors that would not otherwise be able to get people on employment permits. Has the Department carried out any analysis of that and is that part of what it plans to examine? We need to get the balance right here and we need to be cognisant, particularly of the student accommodation crisis, and the educational value we receive by having international students in our society.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It is important to examine the regulation in this area. There is quite a bit of regulation in this area. There is an allowance of 20 hours that a student can work during term time and that increases to 40 hours. It is very important that is monitored and correctly enforced.

We have changed the requirements for students in terms of the income they would have to have to sustain themselves when they come into the country, so they are able to pursue their courses when they come. It is important that we have monitoring of the private providers in different areas to ensure there is compliance and that students are attending and that if they are not attending courses that it is notified. Students must remain within the conditions under which they have entered Ireland. That includes any work they are allowed legally to do in addition to their studies, and that is monitored.