Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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506. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports that the United States graduate visa programme may be discontinued; the number of graduates currently availing of the visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38349/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The J1 programme has been a tremendously successful part of the Irish-US bilateral relationship for almost 50 years, with 150,000 Irish third level students and young people having participated in the programme over that time.

The J1 programme offers a suite of more than a dozen options for participants wishing to experience life in the US while providing opportunities to work while doing so, one of which options is the graduate visa programme.

The Irish Government does not have a role in administering the J1 programme, which is a programme of the US Department of State run by a number of not-for-profit US sponsoring bodies, who, in turn, work with agencies here in Ireland.

Nevertheless, officials at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC are in regular contact with the US State Department regarding the J1 programme, while officials from my Department are also in regular contact with the US Embassy in Dublin.

I am aware of media reports that the J1 programmes are being reviewed by the US administration, in the context of President Trump's "Hire American" Executive Order.

In the year ended 30 September 2015, more than 8,000 J1 visas were issued to Irish citizens in various categories.

The J1 programme remains, therefore, an important component of our bilateral relationship with the United States.

Any cuts to the programme would be of serious concern and my officials in Washington and Dublin have made our position clear to the US Administration.

I can assure the Deputy of the Government’s commitment to the continued success of all the J1 programmes.