Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to have an education trade mission to the United States of America before the end of 2019. [37376/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are no plans at present to have an education trade mission to the United States of America before the end of 2019.

In May of this year, I led a three day education trade mission to Washington DC. I was accompanied on this trade mission by eleven Irish higher education institutions, where our objective was to promote the Irish higher education system as a partner for US Institutions in the areas of student, academic and research mobility and collaboration.

I addressed the opening plenary session at NAFSA: the Association of International Educators, on the future potential of today's students, how an international education can contribute significantly to the development of key skills for employment, and how studying abroad contributes significantly to a greater understanding, appreciation and tolerance in our world. Over 8,000 people attended this event, with the audience comprised of educators from all around the world, located in more than 3,500 institutions worldwide, in over 150 countries.

During my visit, I also met with Betsy DeVos, the US Secretary of Education and Marie Royce, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational & Cultural Affairs where we had meaningful discussions on how Ireland and the US can deepen its relationship in education to the mutual benefit of both Countries.