Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the recent changes that have taken place to visa processing facilities in Saudi Arabia; the reason these changes were made; the transitional arrangements that were put in place to cover the changeover period involved; if these changes have resulted in delays in processing applications; his views on the impact this will have on the number of students coming to study here from Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45946/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that no recent changes have taken place with regard to visa processing facilities in Saudi Arabia. In fact, and as has been the case for approximately two years now, in order to assist with Irish colleges' efforts to attract high-standard students, a specific delegated sanction scheme is in place in our Riyadh embassy to facilitate and indeed expedite visa applications from such students, particularly those covered by exceptionally generous programmes run by the Saudi government.