Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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513. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reduction in the number of international students expected to attend third-level institutions here in the 2020/2021 academic year than in the previous academic year. [14651/20]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated number of students that will defer a course in third-level institutions in the 2020/2021 academic year compared to the previous academic year. [14652/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Given the unprecedented circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic is difficult to make predictions about patterns of enrolment in third-level institutions in the 2020/2021 academic year, such as deferrals or international enrolments.

For international students, much depends on unfolding events such as all available national and international public health advice, particularly in respect of international travel for programmes where a physical presence in Ireland is needed. For domestic students factors such as the expected student experience, and the availability of other opportunities for employment or training will have an impact.

In addition, while a student may request to defer their place in a third-level institution, there is no guarantee this request will be granted. If the deferral is not granted the student will have to choose between taking up the offered place in the current academic year, or re-applying through the CAO the following year. The choice of whether to grant a deferral rests with the admissions office of the institution in question.

Ultimately international student enrolments, and student deferrals will depend on the choices of the individuals in question and are not within the power of my Department to predict but my Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders in this regard.