Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for an education promotional mission to China. [42065/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Our next Education Trade Mission to China will be led by the Minister for Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, from 18 to 24 October 2018.

During this mission, the Minister will visit Beijing, Wuhan and Fuzhou. He will meet with relevant Government Ministers, Provincial leaders, Chinese State Agencies, higher education institutions and will speak at the Beijing International Education Expo.

The objective of this mission is to deepen and enlarge the already strong and growing relations between Ireland and China in education and research – embracing links at the level of Government, official and private agencies and institutions of education and research.

The Government’s Education Strategy 2016-2020 aims to support the development of global citizens through Ireland’s high quality international education system, by attracting talent from around the world to our education institutions and by enhancing partnerships and collaboration with partner institutions and Agencies in key countries. One of the key objectives of the strategy is to increase global links by succeeding abroad; the Minister’s visit to China will further this strategy on an international level. Internationalisation of education brings direct financial benefits to Ireland, and also creates links and relationships between Ireland and many partners at individual, institutional and international level that will bring further engagement and economic activity in the future.