Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost incurred by his Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16605/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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China is a priority market for promotion of Irish education, with 5,000 Chinese students registered in Irish higher education institutions, and political engagement with the country is a national priority.

I visited Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai from 9 to 16 March, accompanied by thirteen higher education institutions on an Enterprise Ireland education mission. I also undertook a short official programme to the United Arab Emirates.

My programme included talks with the Chinese and UAE Governments, educational promotion and alumni engagement events, the launch of strategic initiatives such as UCD's Beijing-Dublin International College, the signature of 13 agreements between Irish and Chinese education institutions, and a range of Irish community and business promotion events.

The cost to my Department for this visit is not yet fully available, as not all invoices have been received.

The cost to date is €15,240 which represents flight costs (excluding internal flights), hotel costs, travel and subsistence and official gifts. Further costs, which have not yet been paid by my Department, will include internal flight costs and hire of multi-person vehicles for transport.