Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for developing the international education sector here over the next few years. [33674/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to develop the international education sector here since his appointment. [33675/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of overseas students attending third level education institutions in September this year; the number of overseas students attending third level education institutions for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33676/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the targets set for increasing the number of international students studying in third level institutions here this year and over the next few years; if he is on track to meet these targets. [33677/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of fee income generated this year and in each of the past five years as a result of international students studying in third level institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33678/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 84, inclusive, together.

The Government is strongly committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education. The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious target of doubling international student numbers over the coming five years, through full implementation of the international education strategy, Investing in Global Relationships.

The strategy contains ten strategic actions to improve Irish performance in attracting international students. Significant progress has been made in the first year of implementation, and the High Level Group will shortly be developing an implementation timetable for year two. Since the Government took office, we have taken a number of specific initiatives to promote international education, including: - The launch of a new international brand and marketing campaign for Irish education, Education in Ireland, managed by Enterprise Ireland. - The development of agreed priority markets by the High Level Group on International Education and the development of market-specific plans, starting with the USA. - The roll-out of market specific initiatives, such as a trusted agents programme in India. - The launch of a targeted scholarship programme for English teachers in priority markets including Korea, Japan and Turkey. - Ministerial level visits to strategic markets including the USA, Malaysia and Singapore and official level visits to India and Russia. Figures on the number of international students in Irish higher education institutions, and the revenue generated (fee income plus student expenditure), are set out in the table.

Tuition fee income amounted to €209m in 2011, an increase of €20m from 2010. No comparable data is available for the years 2007/8 and 2008/9.