Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way she intends to link particular non-EU student visa applications to particular programmes of study once that student commences their learning; the follow-up done in respect of verifying colleges and learner participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24055/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Student migration and international education continue to contribute significantly to Ireland both culturally and economically. Their importance has been recognised in successive Programmes for Government and was underscored by Ireland's first International Education Strategy published in September 2010. Ireland's strong reputation in this sector has been built up over many years through the provision of high-quality education services, including English language education, and the close cooperation of key Government Departments, including my own Department, in delivering the reform commitments set out in the Programme for Government and the International Education Strategy.

At the outset I wish to make it clear that any Non-EEA student seeking to come to Ireland to take up an education programme is expected to comply with all the usual immigration requirements and additional requirements for students clearly set out on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Students). Some of the key requirements relate to taking up places only on eligible programmes, maximum duration of student permission in the State, financial security and private medical insurance.

In conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills the student regime has been updated over the years to reflect changing requirements and to ensure sufficient controls are in place. A major review was carried out and published in September 2014 setting out a joint policy statement and key reforms, in particular a new regulatory framework across three separate pillars, as follows:

- Restrictions on the programmes permitted for student immigration purposes.

- An enhanced compliance and inspection regime.

- Strengthening the terms of the student work concession.

This policy is being implemented on a phased basis taking into account a High Court case taken by two institutions that did not hold the Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS) recognition which meant that transitionary arrangements needed to be put in place in respect of English language education. In that regard, such providers are now expected to comply with certain additional requirements before being listed as eligible for immigration purposes. These requirements, among other things, require such providers to demonstrate: transparency of ownership; good governance; adequate learner protection; and higher standards as regards student services and their physical environment. The first round of applications was opened in July 2015 and also involved unannounced inspections selected on the basis of a risk assessment. The second phase of reforms was delivered in January 2016 when language programmes were listed for the first time on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Simultaneously, the Internationalisation Register ceased to exist.

By its very nature the ILEP is intended to be a temporary solution to address a gap in the lead up to the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) which will provide a full quality assurance framework in the future. In this interim process, however, providers must continue to comply with the new stricter conditions now applicable to the sector in order to retain their listings. The process is reopened from time to time to allow new applications taking account of expansion of the sector and changing trends in international education. The ILEP was updated in April 2016 and is expected to be updated again in August 2016, and at future dates to be determined, to reflect such changes, pending the introduction of the IEM.

Finally, it is important to stress that my Department has no role in accrediting education providers or education programmes which is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills.