Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, in view of the business of attracting and catering for foreign students who come here for higher education or university courses in either the public or private system, the number of embassies abroad that have a designated staff member from his Department or an agency under his remit for such purposes; if same will be listed or the person to whom inquiries and requests for contacts from abroad are referred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45058/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's primary role in the promotion of international education is co-ordination and policy development, and Departmental officials are not seconded to Irish Embassies for this purpose.

Under the new arrangements which I have recently put in place to promote Ireland as a centre for international education, Enterprise Ireland has been given operational responsibility, under my authority, for the marketing and promotion of the "Education Ireland" brand overseas and the development, promotion and marketing of international higher education.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, including Ireland's network of diplomatic missions, also plays a key role in promoting international education, including through awareness-raising, supporting Ministerial visits, maintaining contacts with overseas Government Ministries and education agencies and lending support and assistance to visiting Irish institutions; it works very closely with Enterprise Ireland in this regard. The Department of Foreign Affairs is represented on the inter-agency group on international education which my Department chairs, and will also be represented on the high-level group on international education. In order to ensure full awareness of the issues involved in international education, my Department provides a full briefing to Irish Ambassadors and other diplomats prior to their departure on overseas posts.