Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-European Economic Area students with stamp two permission who had been attending English language schools for more than two, three, four, five and six years as of March 2009. [32978/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As of March 2009 this year there were a total of 10,379 non-EEA English language students registered with the immigration authorities. The table provides information on such students by reference to their year of first registration. While it cannot be said with absolute certainty that each student has remained in the language sector all of this time (in theory they could have attempted a different course before resuming their language studies) it is nevertheless a good indicator of the numbers who have maintained their residence in the State on the basis of their English language studies.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of students with stamp two permission who originally registered as English language students but have since progressed to courses at national framework of qualification level five or above, in the three previous academic years. [32979/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-European Economic Area students registered on a stamp two who downgraded the level of course they attended or moved from at least a level five at national framework of qualification to an English language course in the academic year 2008/2009. [32980/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 639 and 640 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Statistical data in relation to the movement of Non-EEA students between the qualification levels of the National Framework of Qualifications is not currently maintained by the immigration authorities. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the need for a greater focus on progression through the system has been highlighted in a consultation paper on the Immigration Regime for non-EEA students published by my Department at the beginning of September.