Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to raise some concerns which were brought to my attention. An "In the Balance" programme for the BBC World Service in Newry interviewed business leaders, those involved in industry and students in the Border area seeking their opinion on what the implications of Brexit would be for them. Many students raised concerns about education, in particular further education, in a post-Brexit situation. I draw the attention of the House to statistics from the Royal Irish Academy. Currently, more than 12,500 students move between Ireland and the UK for higher education, study and training in 2015 -2016. In addition, 3,000 to 4,000 students move between Northern Ireland and Ireland each year to access higher education and professional training. Furthermore, Ireland currently has 1,157 partners and links with UK partners in academia and research. Some 63% of successful Horizon 2020 applications for Northern Ireland involved a partner from Ireland. More than 12,900 research projects were produced through collaboration between Irish and UK researchers between 2012 and 2016. The startling fact is that this is more than all of the publications of Germany and France combined. There are significant concerns about the implications of a post-Brexit scenario.

My concerns and those of the students to whom I spoke last week were about the lack of clarity at this point in time about the situation post-Brexit. Let us consider the financial situation. In England and Wales students from Northern Ireland and Ireland pay the same fees as residents of those countries. Those in England pay €10,512, those in Wales pay €10,227 and those in Northern Ireland pay around €4,728. Until the end of the academic year 2019 -2020, in Scotland Irish and EU students will pay the same education levy as Scottish students, which is currently around €2,068.There is currently no clarity about what this will look like after Brexit. There is no clarity on what an Irish student will pay but it is thought that Irish and EU students will pay international fees. Those international fees currently range from €11,366 for lecture-based courses to a staggering €43,183 for clinical-based degrees in the UK and Northern Ireland. We must remember that these are all subject to the fluctuation of exchange rates, which will impact on the numbers. There was a statement from Europe in March 2018 on the status of EU and EEA students. It said:

As we know, after Brexit there will be no change to the tuition fee status of EU/EEA students currently attending UK universities or those applying for courses starting in 201819.

The fees that EU/EEA students are required to pay after the UK has formally left the EU [...] will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK’s exit negotiations. Recently, the Scottish Government extended its pledge of free university tuition for European Union students to the cohort arriving in 2019-2020, covering the period immediately after the UK’s exit from the bloc.

This announcement gives some clarity and assurance to universities in Scotland, but most importantly demonstrates to EU students that they continue to have full residency rights and to be welcome in Scotland. Unfortunately, there is no such clarity about the implications for EU students during the post-Brexit transition period in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Another concern for this House today is that capacity within Ireland is under pressure. Some 15,000 extra students were absorbed into the higher education institutes between 2013 and 2016. There has been a 17% rise in international applications for these courses. In addition, the links and close affiliations with UK universities in respect of research and development is a concern. In conclusion, I would like to draw the Leader's attention to a statement made by the UK Minister of State with responsibility for higher education in May. He said:

That is why we are committed to maintaining rights of Irish nationals to access higher and further education courses on a reciprocal basis. This includes rights to qualify for home fee status, student loans and other support, subject to meeting the same eligibility criteria as UK nationals.

I am concerned about terms such as "committed to", "hope to", "keen to" and "working towards". They do not fill me with confidence. I ask that the Minister or a representative address the House on these concerns.