Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions in this constructive debate. They have rightly raised a number of questions regarding the Bill's aims and objectives and how to proceed. I will endeavour to deal with their questions as best I can.

I was asked how many additional scholars will come to Ireland as a result of this legislation. I want to be clear, in that it is not proposed that any additional scholars will come to Ireland as a result of the funding. Rather, the fund will be used to ensure the viability of the scheme. That it is limited to approximately 12 scholars gives the scholarship additional prestige, which we all agree is important.

I was asked about the percentage of expenditure going towards administration. Information is available in the annual accounts, which are laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The amounts range from a high of $119,681 in 2001 to a low of $4,580 in 2004.

A number of Senators, including Senator Healy Eames, asked about the evaluation of the experiences of the 117 participating students. Ongoing evaluation is conducted by the alliance and virtually all of the information is available on its website. I understand the alliance operates extensive tracking of the Mitchell scholars in this regard.

Senator Healy Eames also queried the funding methodology, namely, whether the Government matching funds raised by the alliance from other sources is the best arrangement. This decision was taken in 2007 and agreed with the alliance. The detailed agreement negotiated since then and this Bill will implement that decision.

Senators Ormonde and Keaveney asked about the institutes of technology and suggested they should be eligible. The Senators will be pleased to know the institutes are eligible under existing legislation, an arrangement that will continue under the current agreement.

A number of Senators raised the question of the internationalisation of education, particularly in respect of the roles of Enterprise Ireland. Given its marketing role, Senator Healy Eames will be aware that the Government decided not to proceed with the establishment of Education Ireland because of concerns about the growth in the number of State bodies. Instead, the Minister for Education and Science produced a new framework for the promotion of Ireland as a centre of international education. As part of this, a high-level group has been established. It comprises representatives from a number of relevant Departments, State bodies and stakeholders. The Minister has asked the group to prepare an action plan by this summer on enhanced performance by Ireland in the international education sector. The action plan will be focused and practical and will address issues such as strategic direction, quality, the needs of students, priority markets, system capacity, branding and marketing issues and Ireland's overall competitiveness in this area.

Senator Healy Eames also mentioned the barriers erected by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to international students coming to Ireland. That the high-level group has a representative from that Department is important, as is the Department of Education and Science's representation on a Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform group examining issues relating to student immigration. These aspects should help to address problems of which we are all aware.

Clarification was sought concerning another matter. To date, the Government has made one payment of £20 million.