Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 899: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will take steps to ensure that legislation intended to curb bogus language schools here does not have the effect of preventing non-EU persons attending bona fide educational establishments here on a short to medium term basis from undertaking part-time employment to alleviate their living expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10454/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has determined that with effect from 18 April 2005, new students who are citizens from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, registering with the Garda national immigration bureau will not be permitted access to employment unless they are attending a full-time programme of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science.

Following a publicly advertised application process, a register of programmes approved by me is being compiled and will be available on my Department's website from 18 April 2005. Programmes listed on this register will have proven quality assurance and validation procedures in place and will lead to awards which are nationally recognised or are approved under the inspection scheme of the advisory council for English language schools. The duration criteria governing a full-time programme is 25 weeks and 375 student timetabled hours, including a minimum of 250 tuition hours. Language providers have largely welcomed the introduction of these new procedures in providing a measure of protection for international students coming to Ireland to study.