Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to protect Irish citizens' rights to study in a university or college on the island of Ireland and to ensure that students are not unduly punished financially as a result of Britain's decision to leave the European Union. [19942/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Following the UK triggering Article 50 of the Treaty in March 2017 and the ongoing negotiations one of our principal concerns relates to protecting to the greatest extent possible student mobility between Ireland and Northern Ireland, the UK and within the EU and to support our strategy to increase non-EU student flows.  Key to the ongoing access of our students to higher education on the island will be the maintenance of the common travel area, and the consequent continuity of fee status and supports for students, in both jurisdictions.

For Irish students wishing to study in Northern Ireland in the 2018/19 academic year I understand that there will not be any changes to their tuition fee status. Student Finance Northern Ireland has also advised that all eligible full-time higher education students, including Irish students, entering higher education in Northern Ireland can get a Student Loan for Tuition Fees.

My Department has confirmed no change in fee status for students domiciled in Northern Ireland who enrol for courses for the 2018/19 academic year in a third level college in Ireland, with no change either in eligibility conditions for the Department’s Free Fee Schemes. Comparable arrangements for an intake of such students for subsequent years will be kept under review in the context of the Brexit negotiations.