Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken in the USA to attract additional US students to study here. [12699/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Government is committed to strengthening education relations with the USA, including by attracting increased numbers of students.

We start from a strong position. According to figures last year from the Institute of International Education, Ireland is the ninth most popular destination for US Study Abroad students, and the fastest growing along with China.

I myself will be visiting Chicago in July, where, among other things, I will be addressing meetings at the National Association of Fellowship Advisors, an influential network who play a major role in assisting potential US postgraduate students with decisions about study and research location.

At present Enterprise Ireland's plans are giving priority to increasing the number of US undergraduate students in Ireland, and there are a range of initiatives underway including market research, development of new marketing collateral, targeted advertising (especially in the Irish-American media), developing networks in new markets in the US and strengthening links with alumni.

The George Mitchell Scholarship programme also plays a crucial role in attracting high-calibre US students to Ireland and in profiling Ireland in the US as a destination for high-quality overseas education.