Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On the question of quantification, I believe 30,000 international students would be affected by this, so that is the number being looked at. There is a concern in the Department of Health that this could lead to calls from other groups for similar arrangements on the basis of fairness and, therefore, it would go beyond students and other people on international visas would request the same treatment, which could lead to a higher cost or higher burden on the State through the Department.

The Minister for Justice said it is clear that the insurance policy that was previously available to students in the State is no longer available for them to purchase as it does not comply with relevant legislation.To avoid a problem for the students and the colleges they attend, the Ministers are committed to addressing the issue at the earliest opportunity they can.