John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number, with regard to the Institute for Trade and Investment of Ireland which was established in 1990 and whose function was to process visas for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, promote Ireland as a location for Taiwanese companies to do business in Europe, assist EI start up companies to find opportunities in Taiwan, promote Ireland's higher education and place FÁS graduates to companies in Taiwan, of these roles that have been carried out; his views on whether many opportunities have been lost; the plans in place to redress this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9262/07]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the links established and the future plans to further develop opportunities in view of the fact that the current market for Taiwanese companies focus on two main sectors, digital media and software companies and international financial services projects; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 60,000 Taiwanese students enter England on student visas, whereas only seven student visas are granted for Ireland; his plans to redress same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9263/07]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

In common with most Member States of the United Nations, Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Taiwan's official status is that of a province of China.

The Institute for Trade and Investment of Ireland (ITII) was established in 1989 and it undertakes a range of activities related to the work of some Agencies. ITII promotes Ireland as a location for Taiwan investment. Enterprise Ireland (EI) avails of the services of ITII when necessary, in carrying out its role in promoting the development of Irish exports. This is in addition to the work of the EI office in Hong Kong which also manages activities for the Taiwan market.

In relation to the Deputy's enquiry regarding the ICT sectors, a number of EI clients from the IT and software sectors are very active in the Taiwan market, as Taiwan is a powerhouse in the Electronics sector generally. The world's largest contract semiconductor fabrication facilities are based in Taiwan and a number of Enterprise Ireland's client companies get their Integrated Circuits manufactured there. Ireland's merchandise trade with Taiwan is significant, in 2005 we exported goods to the value of €329m and our imports from Taiwan totalled €920m. In addition, services exports to Taiwan in 2005 totalled €518m and services imports were valued at €31m that year.

ITII also facilitates the work of Enterprise Ireland in recruitment for Irish Higher Education Institutions. The promotion of education is a relatively new activity in Taiwan and, as such, the scale of promotion is low at present but Enterprise Ireland will continue to promote Ireland there, as a location for educational services.

The Institute also handles Visa applications. All applications for student visas are determined by the Visa Office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in Dublin. On receipt of such study visa applications, the turnaround time in the Dublin Visa Office is currently 5-7 days. This Department are not aware of the exact number of Educational Visas issued, as this is the responsibility of that Department.

FÁS also uses the IITI office to promote its Overseas Graduate Programme. In recent years, the numbers of Irish graduates placed in Taiwan companies has been 4 in 2005, 1 in 2004 and 5 in 2003. I understand that FÁS have recently reviewed this programme and plan to significantly increase the number of graduates placed in the Far East, over the next three years.