Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he plans to reform the regulations governing foreign student employment; the regulations in place pre-2000, post-2000, and post-2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11704/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Since April 2001, following the introduction of a concession by the then Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, non-EEA nationals with permission to reside in the State as students were allowed to take up casual employment for 20 hours per week while studying and to work full time during vacation periods. In early 2005 the arrangements were refined somewhat. The entitlement to work was restricted to students on full-time courses of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science. The number of permitted working hours remained the same. These arrangements are still in place.

As the Deputy will be aware, a general review of the immigration regime for non-EEA students is underway at present. Following publication of a discussion paper on 1 September 2009 and a public consultation process, an Interdepartmental Committee chaired by my Department has been drawing up final recommendations. I expect to receive the Committee's report shortly. The discussion paper had indicated that a separate exercise over a longer timeframe would be carried out by this Committee in relation to the student work concession. When I have received the Committee's report on the overall reform of student immigration and reviewed its recommendations I will consider further when the Committee should carry out its review of the work concession.