Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have student visas here at present; their country of origin; the number of years they are here for; and the number/percentage who applied to remain having completed their studies. [19643/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The number of non-EEA nationals who are currently registered in accordance with section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004 and who have permission to remain as students (on immigration permission stamp No. 2) is approximately 32,900. This figure does not include non-EEA students who are in the State to engage in studies for a period of less than 3 months or who have permission to remain in the State in a different category (for example as a dependant of an Irish or EEA national).

The main country of origin for the persons concerned are the following: Brazil: 21%; China: 15%; USA: 7%; Malaysia: 5%; India: 5% and Saudi Arabia: 5%. In 2011 a New Student Regime was introduced which limits the time a person can remain in the State as a student to an aggregate maximum of seven years; the amount of time that each student is given permission to remain in the state is based on each individual application.

Due to the varied paths open to students it is not possible to readily identify the number who have applied to remain after completing studies. I would point out that students who are eligible may avail of the Graduate scheme which allows them to apply for a work permit to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.