Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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549. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he still plans to allow international postgraduate students to remain in Ireland and work for up to a year after the end of their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme has been in operation since 2007 with some amendment in 2011. This scheme allows legally resident non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland after the completion of their studies for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card permit or employment permit.

Under the current student immigration rules a non EEA student who has successfully completed an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body, at Level 8 or above of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), may be eligible for a one year permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This one year permission is currently in operation and has been available to non-EEA students who have successfully completed a course of the type set out above since the introduction of the current non-EEA student immigration rules.

In addition the Deputy may also wish to note that a six month permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is available to non-EEA students who have successfully completed an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body at Level 7 of the NFQ. During the period of permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme a student can work full time (up to 40hrs per week). I have no immediate plans to change these arrangements. Ireland needs to compete to attract high quality international students and this concession is supportive of that effort.