James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that his recent statement in relation to attracting more foreign students to our universities will not impact adversely on applications from students here, particularly those returning to third level due to lack of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Participation by Irish students in higher education is continuing to increase. There is no cap on student numbers and higher education institutions have been responding to increasing demand by increasing the number of places they offer. In this regard, in 2009/10 acceptances of a place through the CAO increased by 8.3% on 2008/09.

I have established a High Level Group to facilitate a nationally co-ordinated approach to international education. The Group is currently developing an action plan for enhanced performance, which will consider in detail the opportunities and challenges involved in raising numbers of international students.

A key element of the Group's work will be to develop policies and practices which will facilitate increased numbers of international students in a way which is consistent with other national policies, for example, promoting equity of access to higher education, and which does not impact negatively on the position of Irish students.