Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken in the US to attract third level students to come here to study. [21358/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The United States is a priority market for the promotion of Ireland under the Government's International Education Strategy 2010-2015.

Enterprise Ireland indicates that over 8,000 American students study in Ireland each year. Around 60% study in Irish higher education institutions, with the rest on US faculty-led programmes. Ireland remains the ninth largest destination for US students choosing to study abroad.

Enterprise Ireland has a US market strategy in place, focusing on increasing both undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment. The promotional programme includes the Education in Ireland Student Ambassador initiative, on-line and print marketing, recruitment fairs and other engagement activities, and working with US high schools and universities. These efforts are underpinned by market research, and the national effort is undertaken in close collaboration with individual higher education institutions.